Traders will import 250,000 tonnes of edible oil and 375,000 tonnes of sugar to meet increased demand during Ramadan, an official said.
The oil and sugar imports are expected to arrive in the country by the end of this month as letters of credit have already been opened, Commerce Secretary Mahbub Ahmed told Dhaka Tribune on Sunday.
Mahbub also said the import of more commodities was in the pipeline, so there will be no crisis of essentials during the fasting month. The ministry has also asked the authorities at the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh to remain alert against any commoditys hortages during that time.
Currently, a total of 200,000 tonnes of edible oil and 300,000 tonnes sugar are in stock at warehouses. Sugar and edible oil traders, meanwhile, expect the prices of the two essentials to rise in the retail market by Tk1-2 per kg. They also opined that wholesalers and importers have no control over the retailers.