Commerce Minister Khondakar Abdul Muktadir said edible oil supply in the capital is gradually returning to normal levels and being sold at fair prices, after conducting an unannounced inspection of Karwan Bazar on Sunday.

The minister visited several retail and wholesale shops in the afternoon, holding direct conversations with dealers, wholesalers and retailers to assess the ground-level supply and pricing situation.

Retailers told the minister that edible oil availability had improved compared to previous weeks, with dealers also confirming increased supply flows. They noted a sharp rise in demand for 5-litre bottled oil, saying buyers are increasingly shifting from loose oil to packaged products.

According to the Ministry of Commerce, on-the-spot checks found 5-litre bottled soybean oil selling at Tk 970–975, while previously distributed 1-litre and 2-litre bottles were available at Tk 195 and Tk 390 respectively.

Consumers the minister spoke with confirmed oil was available in the market and that the supply situation had noticeably improved.

“The government is working closely to keep edible oil supply stable. Supply has largely normalised already. We have held multiple meetings with dealers and companies. Some price adjustment was necessary due to global market conditions but when international prices fall, domestic prices will be adjusted downward accordingly,” the minister said after the visit.

He added that such unannounced inspections would continue as part of the government's commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in market management.

Commerce Ministry Secretary (routine charge) Md. Abdur Rahim Khan, Department of National Consumer Rights Protection Director General Farooq Ahmed, and other senior officials accompanied the minister during the visit.