For Tariqul Islam Mahid, a routine weekend shopping trip turned into a frustrating search for a basic household item.
Leaving his home in Mirbagh to buy soybean oil, he visited shop after shop for hours before finally finding a litre in South Banasree — three kilometres away and at a Tk10 premium.
His experience mirrors that of consumers across Dhaka. In Middle Badda, ASM Reza visited three shops before buying the last two one-litre bottles left on a depleted shelf, as retailers complained that suppliers had sharply reduced deliveries.
“I went out in the morning and searched until noon but could not find oil anywhere. When I finally found it at a shop, the shopkeeper said they had bought it at a higher price. As consumers, we are the ones having to bear this extra cost,” Mahid told TIMES of Bangladesh.
The shortage has emerged just as edible oil refiners are seeking another price increase from the government. As the proposal awaits approval from the commerce ministry, supplies have tightened across markets, leaving consumers scrambling to buy a daily essential — often above the printed Maximum Retail Price.
A spot check of Karwan Bazar, Malibagh, Rampura and Mohammadpur found empty shelves, frustrated buyers and traders struggling with reduced supplies.
Demanding 200 litres, receiving less than 100
Even Karwan Bazar, one of Dhaka’s largest wholesale hubs, is facing shortages.
Trader Suman Hossain, who normally sells around 200 litres of soybean oil a week, managed to secure less than half of his usual supply.
“Bottled soybean oil is practically unavailable, regardless of price,” he said.
In Merul Badda, Zaman Mia of Zaman Store said supplies had also fallen sharply, suspecting refiners were restricting deliveries to pressure the government into approving a price hike.
The shortage is forcing households to compromise. Mohammadpur resident Bithi Akter switched to palm oil after failing to find soybean oil, but said the change affected the quality of meals for her family.
In East Rajabazar, small shops have started rationing limited half-litre bottles, while superstores including Shwapno and Agora have run out of one- and two-litre packs, leaving only larger and more expensive five-litre containers.
Refiners seek Tk10 increase
The supply disruption comes after the Bangladesh Vegetable Oil Refiners and Vanaspati Manufacturers Association sought a Tk10 per litre increase in bottled soybean oil.
In a letter to the commerce ministry on 2 August, refiners cited rising global commodity prices and higher freight costs, while also requesting that the increase be applied retrospectively from mid-July.
Five days later, the proposal remains under review.
Md Mahmudul Hasan, deputy chief at the Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission, said the commission was awaiting further instructions from the ministry and could not provide a timeline for a decision.
Meanwhile, consumers continue to face shortages and higher unofficial prices.
A familiar shortage cycle
The current crisis follows a pattern seen repeatedly in recent years.
On 29 April, the government increased bottled soybean oil prices by Tk4 to Tk199 per litre after refiners restricted supplies while seeking a Tk10 hike.
A similar situation unfolded in October 2025, when supply disruptions preceded a Tk6 price increase after refiners had demanded a Tk10 adjustment.
Shafiul Athar Taslim, Director (Finance and Operations) of TK Group of Industries, blamed the prolonged price freeze for the current situation.
“This market mess didn’t just happen overnight,” he told TIMES, claiming refiners had repeatedly sought price adjustments from the commerce ministry since October.
However, official records show prices were increased twice during that period. On both occasions, companies cited losses and sought higher prices, with supplies returning after the government approved a combined Tk10 increase.
Asked why the same situation keeps recurring, Taslim said, “Consumers only see what’s right in front of them, but they don’t know the bigger picture behind it.”
Consumer rights groups, however, alleged that refiners deliberately restrict supplies to influence government decisions.
AHM Safiquzzaman, president of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh, told TIMES, “Reports of refiners throttling supplies the second they ask for a price hike are nothing new. There’s an active syndicate in play, engineering artificial shortages just to squeeze the government into bowing to their demands.”
He questioned why authorities often respond only after shortages appear in the market.
“You can’t just rubber-stamp a request because someone sends a letter,” he said. “Everything needs a full evaluation, and that takes time.”
Other essentials remain costly
Soybean oil is not the only pressure point for consumers.
Although vegetable prices have eased after recent flood-related disruptions, protein prices have climbed.
Broiler chicken prices increased by Tk10-Tk20 to Tk200-Tk220 per kg at Malibagh and Karwan Bazar, while Sonali chicken rose to Tk340 per kg. Farm eggs crossed Tk150 per dozen.
Fish prices have also increased, with traders blaming higher wholesale costs. Pangasius and tilapia are selling at Tk230 and Tk260 per kg respectively, while medium rohu costs up to Tk350.
Chilli prices ease after imports
The only relief has come from green chilli prices, which fell sharply after Indian imports increased and weather conditions improved.
Prices dropped from around Tk400 per kg to below Tk200, according to traders.
Rampura Bazar vegetable trader Ramim Talukdar said improved supplies after the end of prolonged rains helped bring prices down.
However, other vegetables remain expensive, with aubergines and carrots still selling at Tk100-Tk140 per kg, keeping overall household expenses high.
