Edible oil shortage hits consumers as egg, veggie prices soar

Infographics: TBS

Edible oil marketing companies have kept soybean oil supplies tight for weeks, citing rising global prices, even after regulators approved a Tk5-per-litre increase for bottled soybean oil.

The findings come from visits to several kitchen markets today (4 September), where this reporter spoke to buyers and sellers. 

Although the government approved the hike, the supply crisis has not eased. Retail shops in the capital still cannot meet demand for the product. 

Sugar prices have risen too, and eggs and vegetables remain costly. Fish prices have offered no relief either.

Eggs, long seen as an affordable protein source for low- and middle-income households, are also expensive now. Photo: Focus Bangla

Oil supply stays tight despite price hike

Bottled soybean oil now sells at Tk204 per litre, up from Tk199, while loose soybean oil and palm oil prices remain unchanged. Even after the increase, supply has not returned to normal, and in some places shortages have pushed traders to sell old-priced oil above the fixed rate.

Rahat, a retailer at Lalbagh Bazar, said supply has not picked up since the new price was announced on Wednesday (2 September), as companies are holding back regular orders until stock at the new price arrives. Shopkeepers said suppliers have not been delivering oil regularly for nearly two weeks, and when small quantities do arrive after repeated orders, their commissions have also been cut.

Sugar prices climb too

Sugar has run short alongside oil, with some retail shops unable to meet demand. Its price has climbed by about Tk10 to 15 per kg over the past two weeks. Sellers attributed this to reduced supply combined with higher wholesale prices, which has pushed up retail rates as well.

Vegetable prices soar

Vegetable prices have also climbed, rising by Tk10 to 20 per kg compared with last week. Brinjal, bitter gourd, yardlong beans, okra, pointed gourd and kakrol along with most common vegetables are selling at Tk80 to 120 per kg. Cucumber remains relatively affordable at Tk50 to 60 per kg, though the local variety costs Tk80 to 100.

Winter beans arriving early this monsoon season are pricey at Tk180 to 200 per kg, while papaya is comparatively cheap at Tk40 per kg. Long brinjal costs Tk100 per kg and round brinjal Tk120, with tomato at Tk120 to 140. 

Yardlong beans, ridge gourd and bitter gourd are selling at Tk80 per kg, bottle gourd at Tk50 to 70 per piece and taro at Tk80 per kg. Green chilli has risen again, from Tk120 per kg last week to Tk160 today (4 September). 

Leafy greens have stayed comparatively steady, with red amaranth and kalmi shak at Tk10 a bunch, data shak at Tk30 to 40, pui shak at Tk30 to 50, lau shak at Tk40 to 60 and kachu shak at Tk25 to 30.

Vegetable buyer Abu Daud said every vegetable in the market has become costlier, with prices up by at least Tk10 and nothing available under Tk80 per kg. Buying tomato, brinjal and bitter gourd now costs more than Tk100 per kg, he said, leaving people who earn Tk500 to 600 a day to choose between fish, vegetables and rice. He urged the government to think about people in that position.

Egg prices also high

Eggs, long seen as an affordable protein source for low- and middle-income households, are also expensive now. A dozen eggs cost Tk165 in the market and four cost Tk55. Buyers said sellers used to knock off up to Tk2 on a dozen but no longer do so.

Egg seller Masum said farm eggs are now selling at Tk55 for four, and prices keep rising with no sign of falling.

Chicken steady, fish still offers no relief

The chicken market has seen no major change, with broiler selling at Tk190 per kg and sonali chicken at Tk320. Beef also remains steady at Tk800 per kg.

Fish prices have brought little relief either, staying high across the board. Tilapia is selling at Tk250 to 260 per kg, pangas at Tk230 to 250, rui-katla at Tk380 to 420 and shrimp at Tk1,000 to 1,300. Pabda costs Tk350 to 400 per kg, mrigel Tk250 to 300, deshi koi Tk700 to 800, farmed koi Tk300 and poa Tk260. Farmed shing sells at Tk300 to 450 depending on size, while medium-sized rui goes for Tk300 to 350 per kg.

Mafizul Islam, a fish seller at New Market, said medium rui is selling at Tk300 to 350 per kg, while local river fish such as bele that are in relatively high demand now cost more than Tk1,000 per kg.