Severe Shortage of Bottled Soybean Oil Hits Dhaka Markets as Prices Climb
Best News Desk
১৮-৯-২০২৬ দুপুর ৩:২৫
Severe Shortage of Bottled Soybean Oil Hits Dhaka Markets as Prices Climb
A acute supply crisis of bottled soybean oil has gripped retail markets in Dhaka, forcing consumers to visit multiple shops to secure basic cooking oil supplies.
A market survey across capital neighborhoods—including Malibagh, Rampura, and Badda—on Friday (September 18) revealed that small-sized half-litre and one-litre oil bottles have virtually disappeared from grocery shelves, leaving only limited stocks of two-litre and five-litre containers available in select outlets.
Retailers and wholesalers attributed the persistent shortage to reduced market releases by major edible oil refining companies following the official price revision announced on September 2. Although the maximum retail price of bottled soybean oil was raised by Tk 5 to Tk 204 per litre, distributors have reportedly restricted supply volumes, creating widespread retail deficits.
Market Impact and Escalating Commodity Costs
The supply crunch in bottled oil has triggered spillover price surges across alternative cooking oil types and other kitchen staples:
-
Bottled Oil Rates: Following the latest adjustment, a two-litre bottle now costs Tk 408, while a five-litre bottle stands at Tk 1,020. Retailers report that refiners have slashed dealer commissions to just Tk 1 per litre, eroding retail profit margins to Tk 5 on a Tk 1,000 inventory investment.
-
Loose Oil Surge: As consumers turn to loose alternatives, unbottled soybean oil prices have surged to Tk 205–208 per litre, while loose palm oil is retailing between Tk 180 and Tk 185 per litre.
-
Egg Price Uptick: After a week-long decline, farm chicken egg prices rebounded slightly by Tk 5 per dozen, retailing between Tk 150 and Tk 155 across neighborhood markets. Broiler chicken prices remained steady at Tk 180–190 per kg, while Sonali chicken was sold at Tk 330–340 per kg.
-
Spike in Green Chillies and Produce: Green chilli prices surged sharply to Tk 140–180 per kg, up from Tk 80–120 per kg last week. High-demand vegetables such as yardlong beans (Tk 100–130/kg), eggplants (Tk 100–120/kg), and bitter gourd (Tk 70–100/kg) continue to trade at elevated levels.
Best News Desk
১৮-৯-২০২৬ দুপুর ৩:২৫
A acute supply crisis of bottled soybean oil has gripped retail markets in Dhaka, forcing consumers to visit multiple shops to secure basic cooking oil supplies.
A market survey across capital neighborhoods—including Malibagh, Rampura, and Badda—on Friday (September 18) revealed that small-sized half-litre and one-litre oil bottles have virtually disappeared from grocery shelves, leaving only limited stocks of two-litre and five-litre containers available in select outlets.
Retailers and wholesalers attributed the persistent shortage to reduced market releases by major edible oil refining companies following the official price revision announced on September 2. Although the maximum retail price of bottled soybean oil was raised by Tk 5 to Tk 204 per litre, distributors have reportedly restricted supply volumes, creating widespread retail deficits.
Market Impact and Escalating Commodity Costs
The supply crunch in bottled oil has triggered spillover price surges across alternative cooking oil types and other kitchen staples:
-
Bottled Oil Rates: Following the latest adjustment, a two-litre bottle now costs Tk 408, while a five-litre bottle stands at Tk 1,020. Retailers report that refiners have slashed dealer commissions to just Tk 1 per litre, eroding retail profit margins to Tk 5 on a Tk 1,000 inventory investment.
-
Loose Oil Surge: As consumers turn to loose alternatives, unbottled soybean oil prices have surged to Tk 205–208 per litre, while loose palm oil is retailing between Tk 180 and Tk 185 per litre.
-
Egg Price Uptick: After a week-long decline, farm chicken egg prices rebounded slightly by Tk 5 per dozen, retailing between Tk 150 and Tk 155 across neighborhood markets. Broiler chicken prices remained steady at Tk 180–190 per kg, while Sonali chicken was sold at Tk 330–340 per kg.
-
Spike in Green Chillies and Produce: Green chilli prices surged sharply to Tk 140–180 per kg, up from Tk 80–120 per kg last week. High-demand vegetables such as yardlong beans (Tk 100–130/kg), eggplants (Tk 100–120/kg), and bitter gourd (Tk 70–100/kg) continue to trade at elevated levels.
