The Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) has approved the purchase of 50 million liters of rice bran oil for 80 crore taka. The oil will be included in the list of essential commodities sold at affordable prices to low-income families. The decision was made during a cabinet committee meeting on public procurement chaired by Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal. The oil will be bought directly from two companies, Majumdar Bran Oil Mills Limited in Jessore and Majumdar Products Limited in Dhaka.
The TCB aims to purchase a total of 28 crore 43 lakh 47 thousand 826 liters of edible oil in the current financial year. Rice bran oil, known for its health benefits, will be sold at the same price as soybean oil. The move aims to support local companies and reduce the dependency on imported oil. Rice bran oil is extracted from rice bran, a byproduct of rice milling, and is considered healthier compared to other edible oils. Several factories across the country produce rice bran oil, contributing to its availability in the market.