Dhaka, October 3, 2026: Complaints of an artificial shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) have intensified across Bangladesh, with consumers reporting that bottled LPG and autogas are being sold above the prices fixed by the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC).
However, the LPG Operators Association of Bangladesh (LOAB) has denied any shortage at the import level, saying adequate supplies are available in the market. The association said operators are selling LPG at BERC-fixed prices and urged authorities to take action against businesses charging consumers more than the regulated rates.
The dispute comes a day before BERC is scheduled to announce a new LPG price for October, based on international market prices.
Consumers in several areas have reportedly been unable to find LPG. Where cylinders are available, a 12kg cylinder priced at Tk1,585 under the current BERC rate is reportedly being sold for Tk2,200–2,500.
Industry sources have alleged that some importers have deliberately reduced or stopped supplies in anticipation of a higher price in October. Reports of illegal stockpiling have also emerged from distributors, retailers and intelligence agencies, although no significant improvement in the market situation has been reported despite government measures.
An intelligence report reportedly said five companies had substantially reduced sales from September 22 after international LPG prices rose by around $64 per tonne, allegedly holding thousands of tonnes of LPG for sale at the new price. The report said Bangladesh imported around 158,000 tonnes of LPG in August and another 156,000 tonnes in September, indicating that the market should not have faced a supply shortage.
The report named East Coast Group, BM LPG, Petromax and Jamuna Spacetech JV Ltd in connection with alleged market manipulation. The allegations could not be independently verified.
Abu Taher, organizing secretary of the LPG Businessmen Cooperative Society, alleged that importers had reduced supplies by about 80% since September 20 and stopped supplies altogether after September 25.
“My truck has been waiting at the Omera LPG depot in Ghorashal for seven days without receiving any gas. Hundreds of other trucks are also waiting in line,” he said.
Owners of autogas filling stations have also complained about inadequate supplies at regulated prices. Sirajul Mowla, president of the Autogas Filling Station Owners Association, said importers were claiming that they had not been able to procure LPG at the current BERC-fixed price.
“They are saying that even if we take LPG now, we will have to pay the price that BERC announces for October,” he said.
Amid the complaints, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmood Tuku held a meeting with leaders of LOAB at his office on Saturday, a public holiday. Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir was also present at a meeting held to discuss the supply situation.
Importers attending the meeting denied reducing supplies. The government has also discussed the issue in several meetings with BERC, while district administrations have reportedly been instructed to conduct mobile court operations against illegal stockpiling and overpricing.
LOAB President Mohammad Amirul Haque said there was no shortage at the import stage.
“If any LPG operator, distributor, dealer or retailer sells cylinders above the price fixed by BERC or stocks LPG in violation of the rules despite adequate supply, it will constitute a violation of the law,” he said, urging the authorities to take legal action against dishonest traders.
The latest controversy has renewed concerns over enforcement of LPG prices. The government has provided a series of facilities to importers in recent years, including higher import ceilings, tax reductions and easier access to letters of credit. Import limits for five companies have also reportedly been increased.
Despite these measures, authorities have struggled to keep retail LPG prices aligned with BERC’s regulated rates. Consumer rights officials have also faced criticism over the reported sale of LPG at significantly higher prices.
The allegations come as BERC prepares to announce the October LPG price on Sunday in line with its monthly pricing formula and international market movements.
