TCB launches Eid-ul-Azha 2025 campaign with 690 mobile trucks selling essentials across Bangladesh. Prices slightly adjusted for Smart Card holders.
To ease the burden of rising living costs ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) has officially launched a countrywide campaign to sell essential products at subsidized rates. Starting from Thursday, a total of 690 mobile trucks have begun distributing daily necessities like edible oil, sugar, and lentils across the country. This operation will continue until June 3, including Fridays and public holidays.
Under the campaign, 50 trucks are stationed in Dhaka, 20 in Chattogram, 10 each in six divisional cities, and 10 in each of 56 district towns. The goal is to make these key food items more accessible to the general public during the festive season.
TCB’s mobile trucks are offering edible oil, lentils, and sugar to all consumers. Meanwhile, low-income families holding Smart Family Cards are also eligible for special subsidized pricing, although recent adjustments have increased those rates slightly.
Despite the subsidized effort, prices for TCB products have increased significantly in the past month. According to the latest update:
-
Edible oil has gone up by 35 taka per liter
-
Lentils increased by 20 taka per kilogram
-
Sugar has risen by 15 taka per kilogram
Now, Smart Card holders have to pay 135 taka per liter of oil (up from 100 taka), 80 taka for lentils (previously 60) and 85 taka for sugar (up from 70). While the new prices are still lower than those in regular markets, the increase has drawn attention, especially from low-income communities.
Source: VAT on Mobile Phones May Increase in Upcoming Budget of 2025-26
A TCB official, speaking on condition of anonymity explained that the government continues to offer a significant subsidy on these products. However, to manage overall costs and adjust to global market shifts particularly the rising price of soybean oil that TCB has made necessary adjustments.
Despite the hike, the government hopes that offering these essentials through mobile trucks at lower-than-market prices will bring some relief to struggling families during Eid.
TCB Reaffirms Commitment
In an official press release issued on Wednesday, TCB reiterated that its mobile sales initiative is open to all consumers, not just Smart Card holders. These mobile trucks will remain active every day, including weekends and holidays, through June 3. This campaign reflects the government’s ongoing effort to support citizens during key festivals, particularly amid rising commodity prices and economic pressure.
