Bangladesh is experiencing a supply disruption in the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) market, resulting in consumers paying significantly above the government-regulated prices despite steady import levels. The situation has emerged amid rising international procurement costs that have not yet been reflected in retail prices.

Data from the National Board of Revenue indicate that LPG imports into Bangladesh have remained broadly stable in recent months, with 123,975 tonnes imported in July, 157,760 tonnes in August, and 118,742 tonnes entering the country during the first 22 days of September. The chairman of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC), Jalal Ahmed, confirmed that imports had reached approximately 126,000 tonnes by the end of September and described the import situation as normal, with no overall shortage reported.

Despite the consistent import volumes, consumers report paying between Tk 400 and Tk 615 above the official retail price of Tk 1,585 for a 12-kilogram LPG cylinder fixed by BERC for September. Several customers have paid up to Tk 2,200 per cylinder. Autogas stations have also reported receiving inadequate supplies since mid-September, raising concerns about market availability beyond just retail outlets.

Industry insiders, speaking on the condition of anonymity, attributed the disruption to increased costs associated with the latest LPG shipments, including elevated premiums and shipping expenses amid global supply chain challenges. These additional costs have yet to be incorporated into the regulated price, leading some operators to limit supplies to the retail market while awaiting the forthcoming price adjustment scheduled for early October.

The president of the Bangladesh CNG and LPG Autogas Station and Conversion Workshop Owners Association, Serajul Mowla, indicated that many autogas stations nationwide are running low on LPG and have called on BERC to intervene. The association recently met with the commission to seek corrective measures and expects supplies to improve following the next price revision.

The number of active LPG importers has also decreased slightly, with 13 companies importing in August and only 10 during most of September. Major importers such as Delta LPG, Bashundhara LP Gas, and Padma LPG reported no imports in the first 22 days of the month, according to customs data.

Bangladesh’s annual LPG consumption is estimated at 1.7 to 1.8 million tonnes, with household use accounting for approximately 80 percent. Industrial and commercial sectors consume about 12 percent, autogas 5 percent, and other users make up the remainder.

This latest market tension follows ongoing instability since late 2025, including import declines and rising international prices linked to geopolitical developments such as the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. Previous price adjustments by BERC in April raised the retail price by nearly 29 percent to Tk 1,728, followed by a further increase to Tk 1,940 as import costs surged.

Government officials, including the Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman, maintain that LPG supplies and stock levels remain adequate. They have urged vigilance against hoarding or artificial shortages intended to drive up prices and cause public discontent.

BERC has met with distributors and autogas representatives to address the issue and plans to consult further with importers and bottlers. The next official LPG retail price announcement is expected on October 4, following national holidays on October 2 and 3.