Rabbi Islam; Dbarta24 — Adding further strain to households already grappling with a persistent pipeline gas supply crisis, the retail price of privately sold Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) has seen another upward adjustment.
The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) announced the new rates on Sunday, raising the cost of LPG by Tk 5.85 per kilogram.
Under the revised framework, the market’s most widely used 12 kg LPG cylinder will now cost Tk 1,598—up by Tk 70 from the previous price of Tk 1,528. BERC confirmed that the updated prices take effect from 6:00 PM today.
Global Market Volatility and Local Impact
With the latest adjustment, the retail price of LPG now stands at Tk 133.15 per kg, up from Tk 127.30 in the previous month.
BERC computes these prices monthly based on the Saudi Contract Price (CP)—the global benchmark for importing key components like propane and butane.
The commission factors in Saudi Aramco’s published rates alongside average monthly dollar conversion rates from local importer invoices.
The latest hike follows a period of heavy price fluctuation driven by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which sent international energy prices soaring earlier this year.
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April Peak: LPG experienced record spikes in April, jumping by Tk 387 early in the month and an additional Tk 212 on April 19.
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Summer Relief: Consumers received temporary relief through two consecutive rate cuts in June and July, culminating in a Tk 357 drop last month.
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Current Shift: The trend has now reversed as import costs firm up globally.
Public Pressure Mounts as Pipeline Shortages Persist
The price hike comes at a critical time when many urban households have been forced to migrate from piped gas to bottled LPG due to acute supply drops in the national grid.
However, regulatory pricing often fails to translate to ground reality. Consumers routinely allege that retail vendors charge significantly higher rates than the price caps mandated by BERC.
Summary of Revised Rates:
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Private 12 kg Cylinder: Increased from Tk 1,528 to Tk 1,598.
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Per KG LPG Rate: Increased from Tk 127.30 to Tk 133.15.
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State-Owned 12.5 kg Cylinder: Unchanged at Tk 825.
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Autogas (Motor Fuel): Set at Tk 70.40 per liter (adjusted down from Tk 86.93).
While state-supplied 12.5 kg LPG cylinders remain highly subsidized at Tk 825, limited distribution networks mean the vast majority of consumers remain dependent on private sector suppliers operating under the volatile international pricing regime.