The Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) has placed a seven-point demand before the government, warning that consumers are becoming increasingly frustrated due to what it described as unusual and prolonged increases in the prices of sugar, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and edible oils, reports The Business Standard.
In a statement issued on January 3, CAB alleged that a powerful group is disrupting the sugar market by creating artificial shortages at various stages, including imports, mills, and distribution, through coordinated control of supply.
The association said sugar prices were stable until about a week ago, but wholesale rates have risen sharply since then, leading to an increase of Tk10 per kilogram at the retail level. CAB linked the rise to a stoppage in white sugar imports and claimed there are shortfalls in production and supply at sugar mills.
CAB also alleged that traders are once again manipulating prices ahead of Ramadan, a practice it said is repeated every year. It criticised the tendency to cite international market conditions only when prices are rising, while price reductions in global markets are not reflected domestically, leaving consumers under constant pressure.
The association raised concerns about the role of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC), saying that while it sets LPG prices, weak enforcement allows traders to regularly disregard the official rates.
CAB further warned that organised groups are taking advantage of administrative distractions ahead of Ramadan and other upcoming events. It said the current price increases have little connection with actual supply levels or global market trends, pointing instead to poor market oversight and weak monitoring.
CAB cautioned that if essential goods such as LPG, sugar, and edible oil continue to be controlled by such groups, consumers’ purchasing power will decline further and trust in the market system will erode.
To address the situation, CAB submitted seven demands to the government. These include verifying sugar production, stocks, and supply at mills to identify those creating artificial shortages; taking strong legal action against syndicates and hoarders in the sugar and edible oil markets; ensuring domestic edible oil prices reflect international rates and import costs; and reducing unjustified differences between wholesale and retail prices through stronger administrative action.
The demands also call for better coordination by the Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources with local administrations, consumer rights authorities, and law enforcement to enforce government-set LPG prices. CAB urged stricter monitoring of LPG importers and distributors, as well as continued surveillance of essential commodity markets at district and upazila levels, even during elections or other periods of administrative pressure.
The association warned that without immediate and coordinated action, price instability in sugar, LPG cylinders, and other essential goods could worsen. It expressed hope that the government would move quickly to ensure fair pricing and provide relief to consumers.
