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discovered that a group of traders was selling loose oil taking it from sealed containers to make more profit.

They cannot manipulate the bottled oil prices as the prices are printed on the label, he said, warning them of stern actions.

The minister did not name the traders and companies found involved in price manipulation.

He said the government would not increase the edible oil price now and it would not allow sales of loose soybean oil in the country after May 31. For palm oil, the deadline is December 31

Tipu said it was impossible to control quality and price of edible oil when it is sold in loose form.

Ghulam Rahman, president of Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), said businesses are always opportunists.

“As the war has created concerns about prices and supply chain disruption, a section of traders is exploiting this.

“Commodities that are in the local market have been imported earlier and prices hike at this moment is unacceptable and unethical,” he said.