Dhaka, Jan. 31 -- After a brief period of stability, bottled soyabean oil has once again begun to disappear from markets in the capital, triggering concerns over supply manipulation and price-gouging ahead of Ramadan.

The rice market is also offering customers very little respite as prices have surged by as much as Tk 2 to Tk 4 per kg in a week.

The only respite appears to be in the supply of winter vegetables, which remain abundant and relatively affordable.

Zakir Hossain, a rice vendor at Zakir Traders in Mohakhali, detailed the latest prices on Friday, reflecting the steady rise in staple costs.

"Miniket rice No 1 is selling at Tk 76 per kg, while the special variety is priced at Tk 80," he said.

The standard miniket variant, he n...