DHAKA: The price of Brent Crude oil has fallen below $50 a barrel for the first time since May 2009.

It fell more than a dollar to $49.92 a barrel in early trading on Wednesday before edging back above the $50 mark, reports the BBC.

Slowing global growth and increased supply of oil and gas have pushed prices sharply lower in recent weeks.

The price of oil traded in the United States, known as West Texas Intermediate crude, has already breached the $50 threshold.

Many observers expect the price of oil to fall further as North American shale producers continue to supply increasing quantities of oil and gas, and the oil-producing group Opec resists calls for cuts in production to support prices.

‘With no sign that OPEC will do anything about over-production, it seems likely that we could well see further declines towards $40 in the coming weeks,’ said CMC Markets analyst Michael Hewson.

Whilst many consumers and businesses welcome a drop in the cost of fuel, oil producing countries including Russia and Venezuela struggle as the price of their main export falls.

BDST: 1612 HRS, JAN 07, 2015