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Published : 04 Jan 2026, 11:31 PM
The Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources has accused retailers of creating an “artificial” liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) shortage to push up prices, and said local administrations have been asked to take action against those responsible.
The ministry made the claim in a statement issued on Sunday after a 3pm meeting with LPG traders at the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, chaired by Energy Secretary Mohammad Saiful Islam.
Officials said the country currently has adequate LPG stocks, citing import data reviewed at the meeting.
They also said the market is facing temporary pressure due to higher international prices and transport difficulties.
Traders at the meeting alleged that retailers had tightened supply and raised prices in anticipation of a possible price hike by the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) amid the broader market situation.
Later on Sunday, BERC raised the price of a 12-kg LPG cylinder to Tk 1,306 from Tk 1,253.
The statement noted that LPG imports stood at 127,000 tonnes in December, compared with 150,000 tonnes in November, according to data presented at the meeting.
The LPG Operators Association of Bangladesh (LOAB) has also urged the government to act against those accused of creating artificial shortages and manipulating prices.
LOAB Vice-President Humayun Rashid said the meeting discussed ways to accelerate imports to match the capacity.
In a statement later, LOAB asked the government to act against the retailers responsible for destabilising the market.
It also called for strong enforcement of the law and monitoring of the market.
The price of a 12kg LPG cylinder, officially fixed at Tk 1,253 for December, has recently risen by nearly Tk 1,000 or more in parts of Dhaka.
The increase occurred without prior notice, though only BERC has the authority to change prices.
Some consumers said they could not obtain LPG cylinders even after paying Tk 1,000 above the BERC-set price.
LPG cylinders have rarely been available at the government-set price in retail markets since the government began fixing prices in 2021.
