Vegetable prices rise, soybean oil shortage in markets

Vegetable prices have increased across the board over the past two weeks since Eid. Most vegetables are now being sold for Tk 60 to Tk 100 per kilogram—about Tk 20 higher than before Eid.

In addition, there is an ongoing shortage of soybean oil in the market. Although the government has not increased the fixed retail price, many shops have run out of stock. As a result, some retailers are selling soybean oil at Tk 5 more per liter than the price printed on the bottle.

This situation was observed during visits to various markets in the capital on Friday (April 11).

Vegetable vendors said that the current supply is lower than demand. Most winter vegetables are no longer available, and many summer vegetables have yet to arrive in adequate quantities—causing the price hike.

At Rampura market in Dhaka, the impact of the price increase was evident as soon as one entered. A local resident, Bidhan Chandra, got into an argument with a vendor over prices. He bought half a kilogram of yardlong beans and bitter gourd for Tk 100. “Before Eid, all vegetables were around Tk 60 per kg. Prices have jumped since Eid,” he said.

Visits to other markets, including Malibagh and Shantinagar, showed that bitter gourd, ridge gourd, sponge gourd, and snake gourd were being sold at Tk 80–100 per kg, while pointed gourd and okra were priced between Tk 60–80. Among all vegetables, papaya was relatively cheaper at Tk 40–50 per kg. Prices were slightly lower in large wholesale markets like Karwan Bazar.

In the retail market, the price of local onions rose by Tk 5, now selling at Tk 35–45 per kg. However, the prices of potatoes, ginger, and garlic remained unchanged.

Meanwhile, the soybean oil shortage has re-emerged. Many shops are out of stock, and even when available, oil is not found in desired quantities. For example, some stores have 5-liter bottles, but no 1- or 2-liter bottles. In some cases, retailers were seen selling oil at Tk 180 per liter, despite the government-fixed price of Tk 175.

Enamul, a vendor at Malibagh market, said, “The company isn’t supplying oil. They haven’t been taking orders since Eid. I had to buy it from outside at a higher price.”

Another seller added, “Today, for the first time since Eid, one company delivered oil—just three cartons of 2-liter bottles. They also said they won’t supply more until prices are revised.”

It is worth noting that edible oil refinery owners have proposed increasing the price of bottled soybean oil by Tk 18 per liter. However, despite two meetings with the Ministry of Commerce, no decision has been made yet.

Earlier, on March 27—the last working day before the Eid holidays—the refinery owners’ association sent a letter to the Tariff Commission, proposing a new price of Tk 193 per liter, effective from April 1. However, government approval for this price hike has not yet been granted, and discussions are still ongoing.