Dhaka gas shortage pushes households to electric cookers, prices rise by Tk 1,000

LPG crisis pushes residents to buy induction and infrared cookers at higher prices

Dhaka residents are turning to electric cookers as the city faces a prolonged shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

Saimun Nahar Parma, a resident of Kazipara, told bdnews24.com that she had to buy an induction cooker after failing to secure an LPG cylinder from local dealers.

“With two young children at home, we can’t rely on eating outside. We even tried buying cylinders at higher prices nearby, but none were available. I finally paid Tk 4,200 for a cooker that normally costs Tk 3,500-3,600,” she said.

Similarly, Khadija Begum of Gulbagh in Moghbazar said she bought a Tk 5,000 electric cooker after daily LPG supply disruptions.

She added that cooking on it takes longer, but there was no alternative.

Retailers in Dhaka report that sales of electric cookers have surged several-fold.

Md Siam, owner of a store in Krishi Market, said: “Normally we sold 2 cookers a month; now we sell 2-3 a day. Prices have risen by Tk 500-1,000 due to high demand, but cookers are still available at Tk 3,500-4,500.”

The market offers two main types of electric cookers: induction and infrared.

Infrared cookers are more versatile, suitable for all kinds of cookware, and are slightly more expensive.

Induction cookers are energy-efficient but require magnetic-bottomed pots and pans.

Brands like Walton, Vision, Vigo, Philips, and Miyako dominate sales, though non-branded Chinese models are also available at comparable prices in local markets.

Meanwhile, the government has eased LPG import rules to address shortages.

Bangladesh Bank announced that credit facilities from domestic and foreign banks can now be used to import LPG, with a maximum loan term of 270 days.