LPG imports surge 44%, yet retail consumers see no relief in Freight News 03/03/2026 Data from customs stations in Chattogram and Mongla show that Bangladesh imported about 91,000 tonnes of LPG between 1 and 21 February, up from 63,000 tonnes during the same period in January – a rise of 44%. Liquefied petroleum gas imports increased significantly this month compared with January, offering some relief to a market hit by weeks of supply disruptions. Yet, consumers are still paying well above government-set prices as retail markets struggle to stabilise. Industry insiders say more shipments sourced from alternative markets, amid tensions in the Middle East, are expected to arrive by the end of February, which could ease supply pressure and bring down prices in the coming weeks. Data from customs stations in Chattogram and Mongla show that Bangladesh imported about 91,000 tonnes of LPG between 1 and 21 February, up from 63,000 tonnes during the same period in January – a rise of 44%. In addition to these two ports, private jetties in Sitakunda handle another 20,000 to 22,000 tonnes of LPG imports each month. But, relief in the retail market has been limited. Retailers blame distributors for charging more than the government-fixed price for cylinders, while distributors point to reduced imports by several firms as the cause of supply gaps. Despite the rise in imports, consumers in Dhaka and Chattogram are still paying between Tk1,600 and Tk1,700 for a 12kg cylinder, well above the government-set price of Tk1,356. Some retail shops in the capital are selling the 12kg cylinder for Tk1,800-Tk2,500, similar to prices during the peak of the crisis in January, when rates surged to between Tk2,000 and Tk2,500 per cylinder. Retailers say they are buying cylinders from distributors at prices higher than the government-fixed rate. Amirul Haque, president of the LPG Operators Association of Bangladesh (LOAB), told The Business Standard that there is no major shortage at the consumer level based on current import volumes. “Importers are selling at government-set rates, but prices are rising at the retail stage,” he said, adding that geopolitical tensions in the Middle East had prompted companies to diversify their sourcing. “Imports from alternative suppliers have already begun and supply is expected to improve quickly,” he added. Shortage linked to earlier import decline LPG imports fell sharply last November during the interim government period, dropping 44% year on year. Volumes failed to recover in December and January after several companies, including Meghna Group and Delta LPG, reportedly did not receive approval to increase shipments. The shortage worsened in January as demand rose following disruptions to pipeline gas supply. Authorities later allowed increased imports to address the gap. According to data from Chattogram, Mongla and Sitakunda, Bangladesh imported 1.754 million tonnes of LPG in the last fiscal year, while daily demand averages around 5,000 tonnes. Industry sources say 28 companies operate in the LPG market, with 23 authorised to import. Sixteen companies have remained active importers this fiscal year, and nine of them account for 92% of total imports. At least four companies, including Beximco, have suspended imports, prompting active operators to scale up shipments. New shipments on the way Three tankers carrying about 10,000 tonnes of LPG are currently heading to Sitakunda, Chattogram and Mongla ports. Meghna Group of Indus