Retail prices of essential kitchen commodities like vegetables, eggs, chicken and edible oil have risen significantly across Dhaka’s markets with driven by higher transport fares following the recent diesel price hike.
Following the government's recent Tk.20 per liter increase on diesel, transport operators raised truck freight rates by Tk.2,500 to Tk.5,000 per trip. In retail markets, summer vegetables recorded a Tk.5–20 per kg increase, while green chilies reached Tk.160–200 per kg. Egg prices rose to Tk.155–160 per dozen, and broiler chicken climbed to Tk.190–200 per kg.
Concurrently, edible oil prices have strengthened despite falling global commodity benchmarks. World Bank data shows international palm and soybean oil prices declined over the June–August period, yet wholesale rates at Chittagong's Khatunganj trading hub rose by around Tk.300 per maund (~37.32 kg) due to localized supply constraints.
In retail markets, loose soybean oil was selling at Tk.205–208 per liter while a one-liter bottle of soybean oil held at Tk.204 amid persistent supply shortages of smaller bottle sizes.
Consumer rights advocates have urged government regulatory bodies to enforce strict market monitoring to prevent unjustified price hikes during transport cost adjustments.
