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Prices of essential commodities, including chicken, edible oil, sugar, LPG and vegetables, have surged sharply across the country, putting consumers under pressure. Many buyers now purchase less than their needs, while others switch to cheaper alternatives to manage expenses.
Market insiders said volatility in global energy markets, supply uncertainty and higher transport costs have driven the price hike. A domestic fuel shortage has raised freight charges and disrupted supply chains, pushing up prices of poultry, vegetables, sugar and other essentials.
A visit to markets in the capital showed that chicken prices recorded the steepest rise among protein items. Sonali chicken sold at Tk430–Tk450 per kg, up from Tk270–Tk320 a month ago. Broiler chicken sold at Tk190–Tk200 per kg. The increase has also affected beef prices, which now sell above Tk800 per kg.
Edible oil prices have also climbed amid supply shortages. Retailers sold loose soybean oil at Tk190–Tk195 per litre and palm oil at Tk184–Tk185, compared with Tk175–Tk180 and Tk165–Tk170 a month earlier. Bottled soybean oil carried a printed price of Tk195 per litre but sold at Tk200 in the market.
Sugar prices continued to rise. Traders sold sugar at Tk105 per kg, up from Tk95–Tk100 before Eid.
Nazrul Islam, a grocer at Jowar Sahara market in the capital, said traders struggle to secure adequate edible oil supplies and often buy loose soybean and palm oil at higher prices to meet demand.
Golam Mawla, president of the Bangladesh Wholesale Edible Oil Traders Association, said higher global prices due to conflict and disruptions in imports have raised costs for importers. He added that higher fuel costs have increased transport fares, which in turn affect retail prices.
An official of an edible oil importing company said rising global prices of palm and soybean oil and higher import costs over the past month have pushed up local prices.
Cooking gas has delivered the biggest shock to households. The price of a 12kg LPG cylinder jumped by Tk387 in April to Tk1,728, the highest in recent times. Consumers alleged that they cannot buy LPG at the official rate, as retailers sell 12kg cylinders for no less than Tk2,000 in many areas.
Vegetable prices have also climbed steadily. Retail markets in Dhaka recorded increases of Tk20–Tk30 per kg for most vegetables compared with pre-Eid levels. Traders blamed higher transport costs due to fuel shortages, rainfall and supply gaps. They also noted that the vegetable season has entered its final phase, which has added to the price pressure. Bitter gourd, yardlong beans and ridge gourd sold at around Tk100 per kg, while most vegetables hovered near that level.
Despite the price surge, the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics reported a slight decline in inflation in March. The agency said inflation stood at 8.71%, down from over 9% in February, according to its latest report published on Sunday. However, market trends showed continued price increases.
SM Nazrul Hossain, vice-president of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh, said rising prices of essential goods have made it difficult for low-income people to maintain their livelihoods. He said transport operators have raised fares due to fuel shortages, which directly affect commodity prices.
Khalilur Rahman Sojol, executive director of the Voluntary Consumers Training and Awareness Society, said global conflicts have triggered price hikes in the local market, particularly for LPG, which has become both expensive and scarce. He also pointed to a drop in poultry supply at the farm level as a key reason behind the sharp rise in chicken prices.