The state-owned Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) has requested Tk 16 billion to cover losses from selling subsidized essential commodities to 10 million low-income families in the first half of last year. The TCB bought lentils worth Tk 10.96 billion but sold them at Tk 6.27 billion, incurring a Tk 4.68 billion loss. Similarly, it purchased sugar for Tk 3.07 billion and sold it at Tk 1.49 billion, resulting in a Tk 1.58 billion loss. Soybean oil sales saw a substantial loss of Tk 9.20 billion, with procurement costs at Tk 19.08 billion and sales at Tk 9.88 billion. The TCB also incurred losses on gram and dates, totaling Tk 502.46 million. To mitigate costs, TCB seeks direct government funding of Tk 100 billion to reduce reliance on high-interest bank loans and operating expenses. Despite ongoing monthly sales initiatives, the TCB struggles to impact market prices effectively despite significant annual subsidies.
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