The availability of bottled soybean oil across Dhaka’s key trading hubs has shown signs of a cautious recovery. Following a week of acute scarcity that left many kitchen racks empty, marketing companies reportedly increased deliveries on Monday night. While the supply chain remains fragile, consumers are finding it significantly easier to procure essential cooking fats, though the shadow of the Middle East conflict continues to loom over market stability.
Market Observations and Pricing
A survey of Karwan Bazar, Mohammadpur Town Hall Market, and Chandrima Kuchabazar revealed a mixed but improving landscape. In Mohammadpur, three out of four monitored retail outlets had successfully restocked major brands such as Pusty, Teer, and Grihini. Despite the improved presence of stock, retailers noted that demand continues to outstrip the volumes provided by distributors.
In terms of pricing, bottled oil is largely being sold at the maximum retail price (MRP), with two-litre carafes retailing at 400 BDT. However, the loose (unbottled) oil market has seen a sharper uptick. Over the past week, the price of a drum of loose soybean oil has risen by 400 BDT, pushing the retail price per litre to between 198 BDT and 200 BDT—a noticeable jump from the previous week’s average of 193 BDT.
Table: Comparative Fuel and Oil Market Data (March 2026)
| Product Category | Current Retail Price (per Litre) | Previous Week Price | Supply Status |
| Bottled Soybean Oil | 195 BDT – 200 BDT | 195 BDT | Improving (Limited 5L) |
| Loose Soybean Oil | 198 BDT – 200 BDT | 193 BDT – 195 BDT | Available (Price rising) |
| Palm Oil | 165 BDT – 170 BDT | 160 BDT – 162 BDT | Stable |
| Refinery Logistics | 50% Fleet Capacity | 90% Capacity | Critical (Fuel shortage) |
Logistical Hurdles and Panic Buying
The primary bottleneck cited by the Bangladesh Vegetable Oil Refiners and Vanaspati Manufacturers Association is not a lack of raw product, but a crisis in transportation. In a formal communiqué to the Commerce Secretary, the association revealed that refineries are currently unable to operate even half of their transport fleets due to the national shortage of diesel and octane. This transport paralysis has made it nearly impossible to secure hired lorries for secondary distribution.
Furthermore, retailers at Karwan Bazar highlighted that “panic buying” has exacerbated the shortage. Fearing that the escalating war in the Middle East might lead to a total import blockade, many households are purchasing double or triple their usual requirements. This spike in consumer hoarding has particularly affected the availability of five-litre containers, which remain the rarest find in the market.
The Path Ahead
While the recent influx of stock provides temporary relief during the Ramadan period, the long-term outlook depends heavily on the government’s ability to stabilise fuel supplies for the industrial sector. Without guaranteed energy for transport and refining, the current recovery in oil availability may prove to be short-lived.