The Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) has warned of growing public discontent as prices of sugar, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and edible oils continue to rise abnormally, and has placed a seven-point demand before the government to rein in the situation.
In a statement issued on Saturday, CAB alleged that a powerful group is destabilising the sugar market by creating artificial shortages through syndication and tight control over imports, mill production and supply.
The organisation also condemned what it described as unjustified price hikes in LPG, soybean oil and palm oil, saying the increases are directly pushing up the cost of living for ordinary citizens.
According to CAB, sugar prices were relatively stable just a week ago, but wholesale rates have since jumped sharply, with retail prices increasing by Tk 10 per kilogram. The association attributed the surge to a suspension of white sugar imports, along with alleged production and supply disruptions at the mill level.
CAB further claimed that traders have once again begun manipulating prices ahead of Ramadan, a trend it says has become an annual occurrence.
Edible oil prices have also risen in recent weeks, with soybean and palm oil increasing by Tk 5–10 per litre. Data from the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) show that retail bottled soybean oil prices are up 12.85% compared to a year ago.
The association criticised what it called the selective use of international market trends to justify price increases, noting that similar justifications are rarely applied when global prices fall, leaving consumers to shoulder one-sided price pressures.
On LPG, CAB said there is no legitimate basis for recent price hikes or reports of shortages. It alleged that some traders are selling LPG well above government-fixed rates, citing higher demand, and suggested that importers and distributors may be manipulating the market.
CAB also pointed to the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC), which sets LPG prices but does not enforce them, allowing traders to routinely disregard official rates.
The association warned that syndicates are taking advantage of administrative distractions ahead of Ramadan and other upcoming occasions. It said current price increases have little connection to actual supply conditions or international market movements, reflecting weak market management and inadequate monitoring.
“If markets for essential commodities such as LPG, sugar and edible oil remain under the control of syndicates, consumers’ purchasing power will continue to erode and public confidence in the market system will deteriorate further,” CAB said.
As part of its seven-point demand, CAB called on the government to:
Verify sugar production, stock and supply at the mill level to identify those responsible for creating artificial shortages.
Take exemplary legal action against syndicates and hoarders in the sugar and edible oil markets.
Ensure consistency between international prices, import costs and domestic retail prices of edible oil.
