The country requires between 75 and 80 million litres of cooking oil each month. However, current supply levels average only 56.7 million litres—leaving a gap of over 20 million litres. Ministry officials attribute the widening deficit to a failure by international suppliers to meet delivery schedules under government procurement contracts.
This supply gap has had a direct impact on market prices, with a five-litre bottle of cooking oil reportedly selling for as much as 1,650 Br, depending on the brand, according to a market survey by Capital newspaper.
A government plan to import 121 million litres of cooking oil to stabilise the market has yet to materialise in full. Only 46pc—approximately 55.66 million litres—has been delivered so far. The remaining 65.34 million litres, mainly safflower oil, has not entered the country, ministry officials disclosed in a press briefing held yesterday.
The delay is attributed to procurement issues stemming from suppliers who won international tenders but failed to meet delivery timelines stipulated in agreements with state development enterprises. The Ministry has pledged to intensify monitoring efforts and take corrective measures where necessary to mitigate further market disruptions.