Published: 12:32 AM, 03 September 2026
Edible oil price raised by 5 taka per liter
The government has increased the maximum retail price of bottled soybean oil by Tk 5 to Tk 204 a litre, citing higher international prices and import costs.
The new price will take effect tomorrow, following a decision taken at a meeting between the Ministry of Commerce and edible oil traders.
"Bottled soybean oil has been increased from Tk 199 to Tk 204 a litre," Commerce Secretary Md Ataur Rahman Khan told reporters after the meeting.
However, the prices of loose soybean oil and palm oil have been kept unchanged, he said.
The decision came after edible oil refiners and importers sought a price adjustment.
The Bangladesh Vegetable Oil Refiners' and Vanaspati Manufacturers' Association had earlier said the cost of imported edible oil had risen substantially following an increase in international prices.
The association claimed that the cost of imported edible oil had reached Tk 217 a litre, while refiners had been selling bottled soybean oil at Tk 199, resulting in a loss of around Tk 18 per litre over the past three months.
The Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission had recommended a Tk 10-per-litre increase, while traders reportedly sought a higher increase at yesterday's meeting.
The government, however, opted for a smaller adjustment after considering consumer interests, according to the commerce secretary.
"The importers had applied for a price adjustment due to the rise in edible oil prices in the international market and higher transportation costs. After reviewing the market situation, the government decided to make a limited adjustment," Ataur said.
He said there was currently an adequate supply of edible oil in the domestic market and no shortage.
"The government is regularly monitoring the situation to keep the market stable," he added.
Asked whether edible oil prices would be raised again before Ramadan, the commerce secretary said it would depend on international prices, import costs and the overall supply situation at that time.
Meanwhile, in a press release, the refiners said they accepted the Tk 5 increase, as they had received assurances that the price would be raised further soon.
