The shortage of bottled soybean oil in Dhaka’s retail markets continues despite a recent price increase, while consumers are also facing higher prices for flour and refined flour.

Retailers say supplies of 500ml and one-liter bottles remain extremely limited. Even after repeated requests to distributors, many shop owners are unable to secure adequate stock. Currently, only a few companies are supplying bottled soybean oil, mostly in two-liter and five-liter containers, which fall far short of consumer demand.

As a result, many customers are forced to visit multiple stores to find cooking oil, while others are buying larger containers than they originally intended.

Farid, a shopper at New Market, said he could not find a one-liter bottle after visiting several stores and eventually had to purchase a two-liter bottle instead, leaving him with less money for other household purchases.

Retailers say the ongoing shortage has created difficulties for consumers, prompting many stores to increase sales of loose soybean oil as an alternative.

Meanwhile, the price of bottled soybean oil has increased by Tk5 per liter to Tk204. A two-liter bottle now costs Tk408, while a five-liter bottle sells for Tk1,020.

Flour Prices Continue to Climb

Alongside the cooking oil shortage, flour and refined flour prices have also increased.

According to the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), loose flour prices have risen by Tk3 per kilogram over the past month, while both loose and packaged refined flour have increased by Tk5 per kilogram.

However, market observations indicate that actual retail price increases are even higher.

Retailers say loose flour prices have climbed by Tk5 per kilogram over the past month, while loose and packaged refined flour have increased by around Tk10 per kilogram.

Loose flour is currently selling for Tk50 per kilogram, up from Tk45 a month ago. Loose refined flour is being sold at Tk65–70 per kilogram, compared with Tk55–60 previously.

Packaged flour and refined flour have also become more expensive. A two-kilogram packet of refined flour now costs between Tk160 and Tk170, compared with Tk140–150 a month ago.

Merchants attribute the increase to higher wholesale prices and rising supply costs.

Vegetable Prices Remain Elevated

Although prices of some vegetables have eased slightly, several key items remain expensive.

Hyacinth beans are selling at Tk240 per kilogram, round eggplants at Tk140, tomatoes at Tk100, and green chilies at Tk200 per kilogram.

Other vegetables, including yardlong beans, ridge gourd, snake gourd, sponge gourd, bitter gourd, pointed gourd, and okra, are selling between Tk60 and Tk100 per kilogram.

Traders blame recent rainfall for damaging crops and reducing supplies to wholesale markets.

Egg and Poultry Prices Decline

In contrast, egg prices have fallen slightly over the past week. A dozen eggs now sell for Tk140–145, down from Tk150–155.

Prices of several poultry varieties have also decreased. Sonali chicken is selling at Tk310–320 per kilogram, hybrid chicken at Tk290–300, and layer chicken at Tk350 per kilogram.

Broiler chicken prices remain unchanged at Tk190 per kilogram.

Fish Market Remains Stable

Fish prices have remained largely stable, with only minor fluctuations.

Farmed pangas is selling for Tk230 per kilogram, tilapia for Tk260, shrimp for Tk800–900, pabda for Tk350–450, and large-sized rohu for Tk450–500 per kilogram.

Other popular varieties, including tangra, vetki, mrigel, koi, and shing fish, continue to trade within their usual price ranges.

Traders say overall fish supply remains steady, helping keep prices relatively stable despite broader food market pressures.