Commerce Minister Khandker Abdul Muktadir Tuesday said the supply and stock of essential goods in the country are stable and there is no reason for concern.
He made the remarks on the day after a taskforce meeting on commodity prices.
He said the government wants to assure people, through the media, that even though fuel prices have increased, the overall market situation remains comfortable.
The minister explained that about 63 per cent of fuel use is diesel.
The price of diesel has increased from Tk 100 to Tk 115 per litre.
A truck carrying 10 tonnes of goods to Dhaka uses around 30 litres of diesel, which means an extra cost of about Tk 450.
When this cost is spread over 10,000 kg of goods, the impact is very small, he said.
He said the government had to increase fuel prices, as global oil prices have also gone up.
In many developed countries, prices have doubled, while in Bangladesh they increased by about 15 per cent, which he described as necessary.
For lower-middle-income families, the biggest expenses are food and house rent, and the effect will be minimal.
Still, the government is supporting low-income people through programmes like subsidised sales by TCB and family cards.
He said that there will be no problem if businesses do not increase prices unfairly and if consumers avoid panic buying.
About the soya bean oil shortage, he said bottled oil is less available at the market, but loose oil is sufficient.
The government is monitoring the situation and will take action.
He also said that some products require large investments,
so only a few businesses control them.
However, as an elected government, they will not allow anyone to exploit the consumers, he said.
tonmoy.wardad@gmail.com
Commodity prices static, no reason to worry: Muktadir
FE REPORT | Published: April 21, 2026 23:31:14
Commodity prices static, no reason to worry: Muktadir
Share if you like