Consumers anger at unusual hike of edible oil price in Satkhira

The prices of edible oil in local markets of 7 upazilas of Satkhira have been on unusual rise after hiking of onion prices.

Prices have increased from Tk 20 to Tk 25 per liter in just a week. The general consumers including traders have expressed their displeasure.

The discomfort was noticed after visiting Boro Bazar, Tala Upazila Sadar and Patkelghata Bazar of Satkhira on Friday (September 25) afternoon.

Traders said distributors are blaming of price hike of international markets and mill owners are not supplying oil as per demand.

Amir Hossain, a consumer of Sultanpur Boro Bazar of Satkhira, said even a week ago, palm oil was selling at 
Tk 76-78 per liter, now it is being sold at Tk 95 to Tk 100.

The price of Super Palm Oil has increased by Tk 10 to Tk 15 and is being sold at Tk 95 to Tk 96. Open soybean oil is being sold at Tk 98 to Tk 110, hiking up from Tk 86 to 88.

Admitting the rise of edible oil prices, wholesaler Utpal Dutta said, “We have to sell at higher prices as importers and millers have increased prices.”

However, Salehi Mohammad Abdullah, Marketing Officer, Satkhira District Agriculture Marketing Department, said the increase of edible oil prices was temporary. If any irregularity is found anywhere, immediate action will be taken.