Unilever Consumer Care re-appoints Masud Khan as chairman

Rice prices in Bangladesh have been rising for 1.5 years, reaching record highs despite private import approvals. Of the 16.75 lakh tonnes permitted for import, only 2.63 lakh tonnes (17%) have arrived by March due to high dollar exchange rates, a strong Aman harvest, and weak demand.

The Bangladesh government is increasing its food subsidy allocation by nearly 12%, raising the total to Tk 8,100 crore, aiming to enhance food distribution programs and support low-income groups. This decision follows production losses due to flash floods and persistent inflation, with food inflation reaching over 14% last year before easing.

The government is considering increasing Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) dealers’ commissions by Tk 0.50 per kg/litre due to rising transport costs. TCB, which operates sales drives for 10 million low-income consumers, proposed this adjustment to the commerce ministry after a board meeting in January.

The Chattogram district administration has set the retail price of loose soybean oil at Tk 160 per litre, effective until April 10. Importers will sell at Tk 153, dealers at Tk 155, and retailers at Tk 160 per litre. The decision was announced at a meeting led by Chattogram DC Farida Khanam, with Mayor Shahadat Hossain and key business stakeholders present.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has removed VAT on various edible oils, including mustard, rapeseed, canola, and rice bran oil, along with other essential commodities, to ease market pressure. VAT exemptions will apply at the production stage for rapeseed, colza seed, and canola oil until June 30, 2025, while mustard oil gets an indefinite exemption.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has lifted VAT on locally produced edible oils, including mustard, sunflower, rapeseed, canola, and rice bran oils, to stabilize prices amid a 6.84% rise in loose soybean oil prices (Tk 185–Tk 190 per litre) in Dhaka over the last month.