STAR REPORT

The government yesterday increased the retail price of bottled soybean oil by 2 percent, from Tk 195 per litre to Tk 199, in view of the rising international price of the highly import-dependent commodity, putting consumers under further inflationary pressure.

Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir yesterday announced the new price after a meeting with edible oil traders, importers, refiners, and wholesalers at the ministry office, according to a statement from the commerce ministry.

The price of five-litre containers of soybean oil has been fixed at Tk 975, and the price of loose soybean oil was fixed at Tk 180 per litre, up from Tk 176 per litre. This decision comes as bottled soybean oil has become scarce in many parts of the country due to reduced supply resulting from a plunge in imports.