Oil shortage persists with costly eggs, vegetables

Consumers continue to face high food prices as 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 and the prices of eggs, vegetables, sugar and fish stay elevated in Dhaka’s kitchen markets.

Bottled soybean oil is now selling at Tk204 per litre, up from Tk199, but the price increase has not eased the supply shortage. Retailers in the capital said they are still struggling to meet demand.

In some areas, the shortage has led traders to sell old-stock oil above the fixed price.

Traders said though the price printed on the bottles remains lower, they are charging the new rate to offset losses from reduced commissions offered by oil companies, effectively passing on the increase before new stock arrives.

Sugar has also become scarce in some retail shops, with prices rising by around Tk10 to Tk15 per kg over the past two weeks.

Vegetable prices have increased by Tk10 to Tk20 per kg compared with last week. Brinjal, bitter gourd, yardlong beans, okra, pointed gourd, kakrol and most other common vegetables are selling at Tk80 to Tk120 per kg.

Cucumber remains relatively affordable at Tk50 to Tk60 per kg, while the local variety costs Tk80 to Tk100.

Early winter beans are selling at Tk180 to Tk200 per kg, while papaya is comparatively cheaper at Tk40 per kg. Long brinjal costs Tk100 per kg, round brinjal Tk120 and tomatoes Tk120 to Tk140.

Yardlong beans, ridge gourd and bitter gourd are selling at Tk80 per kg, bottle gourd at Tk50 to Tk70 per piece and taro at Tk80 per kg.

Green chilli has also become more expensive, rising to Tk160 per kg from Tk120 last week.

Leafy greens have remained comparatively stable, with red amaranth and kalmi shak selling at Tk10 a bunch, data shak at Tk30 to Tk40, pui shak at Tk30 to Tk50, lau shak at Tk40 to Tk60 and kachu shak at Tk25 to Tk30.

Eggs, traditionally considered an affordable source of protein for low- and middle-income households, are also selling at high prices.

A dozen eggs cost Tk165, while four eggs are selling for Tk55. Buyers said sellers previously offered discounts of up to Tk2 on a dozen but no longer do so.

Egg seller Masum said farm eggs were selling at Tk55 for four and that prices continued to rise without any sign of falling.

Chicken prices have remained largely unchanged, with broiler selling at Tk190 per kg and Sonali chicken at Tk320. Beef is also steady at Tk800 per kg.

Most fish continue to sell at elevated prices. Despite adequate supply, large hilsa is being sold at Tk 2,200-2,500 per kg, medium-sized hilsa at Tk 1,800-2,000 per kg, and smaller hilsa at Tk 1,200-1,400 per kg.

Prawn prices also remain high, with golda prawn selling for Tk 1,000-1,200 per kg, bagda prawn at Tk 800-900 per kg, and small prawns at Tk 1,000-1,100 per kg.

Rui and katla fish are selling for Tk 380-450 per kg, pabda at Tk 600-800 per kg, poa fish at Tk 600-650 per kg, farmed climbing fish at Tk 500 per kg, and local climbing fish at Tk 1,200 per kg.

Retailers expressed hope that prices will ease further once supply improves in the coming days, while consumers called for stricter and more regular market monitoring.