A prolonged shortage of piped gas in parts of Dhaka has triggered a sharp rise in demand for electric cooking appliances as households seek alternatives to unreliable gas supplies.
The crisis began on July 22 after disruptions involving floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs) cut liquefied natural gas supplies to the national grid by around 450 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD), or nearly 17 percent.
Although supplies have improved in some areas, daytime gas pressure remains inadequate in many households.
The disruption has boosted sales of infrared and rice cookers in particular. Industry players estimate Bangladesh’s annual electric cooker market at less than Tk200 crore.
RFL Chief Marketing Officer Murshid Muneem said demand for infrared cookers had more than doubled year-on-year, while rice cooker sales had increased by around 200-300 percent.
“People are starting to switch from gas to electric cookers,” he said, adding that RFL had doubled its production capacity from last year but was still struggling to meet demand. Infrared cookers are particularly popular because they can be used with conventional cookware, unlike induction models that require compatible pots and pans.
Walton has also reported a significant increase in demand. Md Abdullah-Al-Zunaid, chief business officer of Walton Home Appliances, said sales of its electric cookers had risen by up to 50 percent compared with normal periods amid the gas shortage and rising LPG cylinder prices.
Electric cookers from Walton, RFL’s Vision, Vigo, Kiam, Gazi, Miyako and Philips are available in the local market, while infrared models generally cost Tk3,500-Tk6,000, with premium models priced higher.
