The scarcity of bottled soybean oil continues across Dhaka鈥檚 markets, including Karwan Bazar, one of the country鈥檚 largest wholesale hubs.
Consumers are struggling to find bottled soybean oil, with many expressing frustration over its unavailability.
A retailer in Karwan Bazar, Mohammad Shahadat, said suppliers forced shops to purchase additional products along with soybean oil in recent weeks.
鈥榃e had to buy other products to get soybean oil. Now, we are not getting it at all. Dealers say companies are not supplying oil to them,鈥� he said.
Despite commerce adviser Sk Bashir Uddin鈥檚 assurance nearly three weeks ago that the crisis would be resolved, the shortage of packaged soybean oil remains.
TK Group director Tariq Ahmed claimed that they were supplying enough edible oil daily to meet demand but suspected market manipulation.
鈥極ur supplies vanish without a trace. If the scarcity continues, more profit can be made from unpackaged soybean oil, which may be the reason behind the shortage,鈥� he said.
Another TK Group director, Shafiul Ataher Taslim, said the government was addressing the issue and hoped that any market manipulation would be exposed soon.
City Group director Bishwajit Saha did not respond to calls or texts from 抖阴精品.
A soybean oil dealer in Karwan Bazar said company supplies were far from sufficient to meet consumer demand.
鈥業n the past months, we had to buy additional products to get soybean oil. Now, it is completely unavailable. Alternative products are so expensive that I cannot afford them,鈥� said a customer, Mozammel Hossain.
Retailers reported that the ongoing shortage has pushed the price of unpackaged soybean oil to Tk聽180-210 per litre in recent months.
Along with the edible oil crisis, consumers expressed frustration over soaring prices of essentials and fruits.
Fruit sellers in Karwan Bazar said apples were priced at Tk聽220-230 per kg, sweet oranges at Tk聽200-210, and mandarin oranges at Tk聽230-240 per kg.
In recent weeks, apple prices increased by Tk聽50 per kg, sweet oranges by Tk聽70-80 per kg, and mandarin oranges by Tk聽10-20 per kg, they said.
With Ramadan approaching, markets were bustling with shoppers, some buying supplies for the entire month, while others stocked up on essentials like chickpeas and onions for one or two weeks.
The prices of essential food items, including rice, vegetables, and chicken, continued to rise, leaving consumers struggling.
A shopper at Karwan Bazar said, 鈥楶rices of every essential item are so high that I will have to buy less than what my family needs.鈥�
Regarding the edible oil shortage, Fakir Muhammad Munawar Hossain, director (deputy secretary) of operations and laboratories department of the Directorate of National Consumers鈥� Right Protection, acknowledged complaints from both retailers and companies.
鈥楾here was a supply shortage until Friday. Some companies are facing difficulties, while some others are trying to help. We hope the crisis will be resolved in the next one or two days,鈥� he said.
He added that DNCRP drives found retailers hoarding edible oil to profit from unpackaged soybean oil, and punitive actions would continue in such cases.
On the fruit price surge, he said DNCRP had not received any complaints but would investigate.
鈥榃e have import data, and according to it, prices have not changed significantly. However, we will take necessary steps if any irregularities are found,鈥� he said.
Various rice varieties were priced between Tk 55 and Tk 100 per kg, with fine Miniket rice selling at Tk 75-82 per kg throughout February.
Coarse and medium-quality rice was available at Tk 55-65 per kg on Friday.
Lemons, a Ramadan essential, saw a sharp price increase, selling at Tk 80-100 per hali (four pieces), nearly triple the price since January 31.
Chickpeas, another Ramadan staple, were sold at Tk 105-110 per kg, down from Tk 130-140 per kg in January.
Broiler chicken was priced at Tk 210-220 per kg, up from Tk 190-210 per kg in late January, while the Sonalika variety was selling at Tk 320-330 per kg.
Various types of dates, another Ramadan essential, were available at Tk 440-1,600 per kg in city markets.
Most vegetable prices rose since late January. Aubergine was priced at Tk 70-80 per kg, up by Tk 20-40 per kg. Bitter gourd was selling at Tk 80-100 per kg, beans at Tk 40-50 per kg, and tomatoes at Tk 40-50 per kg. Cabbage and cauliflower were available at Tk 30-40 apiece, while radish was selling at Tk 30 per kg.
The prices of green chilies and potatoes remained stable at Tk 80-90 per kg and Tk 25-40 per kg, respectively.
Onion prices slightly declined, with the local variety selling at Tk 48-55 per kg.
Egg prices also dropped slightly, selling at Tk 42-46 per hali, down by Tk 2-6 per hali from January 31.
Red lentil prices surged ahead of Ramadan, with the coarse variety selling at Tk 120-125 per kg, the medium variety at Tk 130 per kg, and the fine variety at Tk 135-140 per kg on Friday.