Dhaka, Oct. 8 -- The edible oil market has become unstable again as most refiners reduced their supply of bottled soybean oil to grocery stores after the government proposed the price at Tk 190 per litre.

Many distributors reportedly sold stored oil at higher prices, while several grocery shops were found selling oil at Tk 200 per litre - Tk 10 more than the official rate, according to sources in the city's kitchen markets.

Prices of loose soybean and palm oil have also increased by Tk 10-15 per litre, depending on the area. Loose soybean oil is now selling for Tk 182-185 per litre and palm oil for Tk 170-180 per litre.

A dispute has emerged between the government and oil traders after the Ministry of Commerce allowed only a Tk 1.0 inc...