Flour, Oil and Sugar Prices Rise as Food Costs Remain High

Prices of several essential food items have risen in Dhaka, with flour, refined flour, sugar and loose edible oil becoming more expensive. At the same time, supplies of bottled edible oil have reportedly tightened in parts of the retail market, while prices of vegetables, eggs and poultry remain relatively high.

The situation was observed during visits to several markets in the capital on Friday morning, 21 August.

Retail prices of packaged flour have climbed to around Tk 65 per kilogramme, up from about Tk 55 just 15 to 20 days ago. The increase means consumers are now paying roughly Tk 10 more for each kilogramme.

Refined flour has also become more expensive. Loose refined flour is currently selling for Tk 65 to Tk 70 per kilogramme, while packaged varieties are being sold at around Tk 70 to Tk 75, depending on the brand.

Sugar prices have also moved upwards. Retailers are charging Tk 120 to Tk 125 per kilogramme, about Tk 10 higher than a week earlier. Traders said there is a possibility that packaged sugar could become more expensive if wholesale prices continue to rise.

A retailer at Malibagh market, Chishti, said the price of a 50-kilogramme sack of sugar had increased by between Tk 900 and Tk 1,000 within a few days at the dealer level. According to him, traders have also been warned that packaged sugar prices may rise in the coming days.

The edible oil market is facing a separate supply concern. Retailers have alleged that companies have reduced deliveries of bottled edible oil, possibly ahead of a price adjustment. As a result, some shops are struggling to maintain adequate stocks to meet customer demand.

The retail price of bottled soybean oil, however, has not yet increased and remains at around Tk 200 per litre. Loose soybean oil is being sold for Tk 185 to Tk 190 per litre, while loose palm oil costs around Tk 165 to Tk 170.

Vegetable prices have eased somewhat compared with the levels seen several weeks ago, but shoppers are yet to see significant relief. Supply shortages had pushed the prices of several vegetables above Tk 100 per kilogramme. With supplies improving, most vegetables are now selling for around Tk 60 to Tk 80 per kilogramme. Pointed gourd, papaya and okra are comparatively cheaper.

Green chilli prices have also declined to some extent. Retail prices in Dhaka markets range between Tk 120 and Tk 160 per kilogramme, while wholesale prices at Karwan Bazar are around Tk 100 to Tk 110.

Enamul, a trader at Segunbagicha market, attributed the fall in green chilli prices to increased supplies following the opening of an opportunity to import the commodity from India. The additional supply has helped ease pressure on the market, he said.

Prices of onions have remained relatively stable, with different grades selling for Tk 55 to Tk 60 per kilogramme. Potato prices have also changed little in recent weeks, remaining at around Tk 25 to Tk 30 per kilogramme. In some parts of the capital, vendors selling potatoes from roadside vans were offering five kilogrammes for Tk 100.

Egg prices, meanwhile, remain elevated. A dozen eggs are selling for around Tk 150, while four eggs cost about Tk 50. Prices have remained at this level for roughly a month. Previously, a dozen eggs could be bought for around Tk 130 to Tk 140.

The poultry market is also offering little relief. Broiler chicken is currently priced at Tk 180 to Tk 200 per kilogramme, while Sonali chicken is selling for around Tk 330 to Tk 340.

The latest market situation shows that price movements are varying from one commodity to another. Some vegetables have become cheaper as supplies improve, while essential products such as flour, sugar and edible oil are facing renewed upward pressure. For consumers, particularly those who depend heavily on basic food items, even modest increases across several products can add considerably to weekly household expenses.