Bangladesh’s edible oil prices have risen yet again, deepening the strain on households already grappling with stubborn inflation. On Monday, the government announced that the price of bottled soybean oil would increase by Tk 1 per liter, bringing it to Tk 190.
Refiners had pressed for a Tk 10 increase, but even this token rise has provoked frustration among consumers who feel their already fragile household budgets are being pushed to the brink.
This comes on the heels of two previous hikes: a Tk 8 increase in December 2024 and a Tk 14 increase in April 2025. Together, these adjustments illustrate a trend that families say is chipping away at their financial stability. Although palm oil prices were cut by Tk 19 in August 2025, that relief was overshadowed by a steady rise in other essentials.
Kitchen Tables Under Pressure
Cooking oil is an indispensable part of daily meals in Bangladesh, and even the slightest increase resonates across household budgets. With soybean oil now priced at Tk 190 per liter—up from Tk 189 fixed in March—families must rethink their food purchases.
Palm oil, though unchanged at Tk 150 per liter, is not sufficient to offset the rising costs of other commodities.
Selina Akhter, a homemaker in Mirpur, told The Voice: “Every month we have to cut back on something—fish, meat, fruit. Now oil has become another worry. One taka might sound small, but when you buy several liters a month, it adds up.”
Rabiul Islam, a salaried worker in Dhanmondi, shared his frustration: “Most of my income goes on rent and groceries. Now gas, electricity, and water bills are all going up. If oil prices keep rising every few months, running a family will become impossible.”
For Anwar Hossain, a bus driver from Gabtoli, the impact is immediate and visible at the dinner table: “We are a big family. Every day we need oil for frying, curries, and side dishes. Now the taste of our meals has changed—we’re forced to cut back. When the children ask for something from the market, I can’t afford to buy it.”
Timeline of Price Adjustments (August 2024 – September 2025)
| Date | Decision | Soybean Oil (per liter) | Palm Oil (per liter) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2024 | Increase | Tk 167 → Tk 175 (+8) | Tk 149 → Tk 157 (+8) |
| Apr 2025 | Increase | Tk 175 → Tk 189 (+14) | Tk 157 → Tk 169 (+12) |
| Aug 2025 | Reduction | No change | Tk 169 → Tk 150 (–19) |
| Sep 2025 | Increase | Tk 189 → Tk 190 (+1) | No change (Tk 150) |
Pressure Beyond the Kitchen
The frustration is not limited to cooking oil. Consumers are reeling from broader hikes in utility and service costs:
- Gas Tariffs: In April 2025, tariffs for new industries and captive power plants rose by nearly 33%, from Tk 30 to Tk 40 per cubic meter.
- Electricity: Plans are already in motion to raise electricity tariffs in three phases—June, October, and December 2025. This will affect both households and industries, feeding into higher costs for goods and services across the economy.
Shafiqul Islam, a small shopkeeper in Mohammadpur, told The Voice: “Electricity bills on one side, gas prices on the other—everything is climbing. To survive, I have to raise product prices, but that drives customers away. It’s getting harder to keep the business alive.”
Voices of Discontent
Humayun Kabir Bhuiyan, general secretary of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), condemned the latest decision: “Even a one-taka increase is bad news for consumers. The government has surrendered to business pressure. This is a defeat for a so-called non-political government.”
Consumers are also pointing out inconsistencies. World Bank data shows that global soybean oil prices fell from $1,307 per ton in July 2025 to $1,245 in August. Crushers importing raw soybeans paid even less—just $407 per ton in August. Ordinary citizens are asking why, when global prices are relatively stable or even declining, local markets keep ratcheting up the costs.
A Crisis of Trust
From day laborers to middle-class families, households across Bangladesh say they are suffocating under the weight of rising prices. With food, fuel, and utilities all climbing, trust in the government’s ability—or willingness—to protect consumers is eroding.
Mahfuza Khatun, a lady from Cumilla, put it bluntly: “I used to do one big market trip a month. Now I adjust week by week. When oil prices rise, the whole shopping list changes. Our lives have become nothing but calculations on paper.”
The steady climb in essentials like edible oil is more than an economic adjustment—it is reshaping daily life. For many Bangladeshis, it’s a reminder that in times of crisis, consumers are the first to carry the heaviest burden, while confidence in government policies grows weaker by the day.
