Supply of soybean oil has not returned to normal even after the price rise. Many grocery shops in the capital do not have enough bottled soybean oil, and sellers complain that companies are not supplying as much as they need. Many grocers say they have to wait several days for oil even after placing orders.

This was found on Friday, 11 September, while visiting various retail markets in the capital and talking to buyers and sellers.

Tamim, a grocer at No 11 Kacha Bazar, said the company does not deliver oil even when orders are placed. His shop has no soybean oil, and many customers are going home without it.

Another seller complained that besides not supplying enough oil, companies allow very little profit. A litre of oil is bought at Tk 198 and has to be sold at Tk 199, so many are reluctant to sell oil at all.

The government recently approved a Tk 5 per litre increase in the price of bottled soybean oil. Traders had demanded Tk 10, but the government allowed Tk 5. On 2 September companies then raised the price of bottled soybean oil from Tk 199 to Tk 204 a litre.

Meanwhile, the prices of atta and flour (maida) have risen. The rise in flour prices in particular has hit bakery products, and bread and other bakery items from various companies have already become dearer.

According to Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) market data, loose atta now sells at Tk 48–50 a kg. A month ago its lowest price was Tk 45. Atta has risen 3.16 per cent in a month.

Loose and packaged flour have also become dearer. Loose flour, which sold at Tk 60–65 a kg, now costs Tk 65–70. Packaged flour sells at Tk 75–85 a kg, up from Tk 65–75 a month ago.

Traders say higher electricity prices, the gas crisis and other factors have raised production costs, which is affecting the prices of atta, flour and related products.

The Bangladesh Bread, Biscuit and Confectionery Manufacturers' Association said the prices of all kinds of bakery products will rise from Saturday.

The association's president, Jalal Uddin, said: "We have decided to adjust prices. Where prices rise, they will rise by 20 per cent. In some cases prices will be adjusted by reducing weight. That is, a Tk 10 loaf will stay at Tk 10, but one that was 400 grams may become 350 or 320 grams."

He said oil prices had risen sharply: oil that cost Tk 25,000 now costs Tk 36,000. On top of that there are gas and electricity problems and extra costs, so there is no option but to adjust prices.

At Shewrapara, Mohammadpur Krishi Market, Town Hall Bazar and Kathalbagan Bazar, farm eggs were selling at Tk 150 a dozen. Broiler chicken prices have not fallen either, at Tk 190–200 a kg.

Sellers said heavy rain and heat killed layer hens and broilers on many farms, and many farmers did not restock afterwards. Recent load-shedding has also reduced poultry rearing on farms. For these reasons eggs and chicken are somewhat dearer.

Vegetables are still selling at high prices. Long aubergines sell at Tk 70 a kg and round aubergines at Tk 100. Bitter gourd and yardlong beans are Tk 80 a kg. Hybrid cucumbers cost Tk 50–60 and local cucumbers Tk 80–100 a kg. Early hyacinth beans sell at Tk 180–200 a kg. Pointed gourd, okra, spiny gourd and several other vegetables sell at Tk 60–80 a kg. Papaya sells at Tk 40 a kg and tomatoes at Tk 120–140 a kg.

Tilapia sells at Tk 250–260 a kg, pangas at Tk 230–250 and rui and catla at Tk 400–450. Prawns sell at Tk 1,000–1,300 a kg and pabda at Tk 400–450.

At Shewrapara market, shopper Sharifuddin said low- and middle-income people meet their protein needs through eggs and chicken, and both are expensive. Now oil, atta and flour have also risen, and rice, lentils and other costs have gone up too, increasing the pressure on low- and middle-income people.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.