LPG traders end nationwide strike after BERC assurance; supply to stabilize soon

The nationwide LPG supply crisis eased on Thursday as the ‘LP Gas Business Owners’ Cooperative Association’ withdrew its indefinite strike following successful talks with the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC). Distribution and retail sales resumed in the evening, providing relief to consumers across the country.

During an emergency meeting at the BERC headquarters, traders raised three primary concerns: halting administrative crackdowns on distributors, increasing profit margins for retailers, and ensuring an uninterrupted gas supply. Association President Md. Selim Khan stated they ended the strike to prevent further public suffering after receiving “positive assurances” from the commission.

BERC Chairman Jalal Ahmed told reporters that the commission would coordinate with high-level authorities regarding the ongoing administrative raids. He also promised a legal review of the traders’ demand for higher margins. “Importers have secured alternative arrangements to bypass shipping shortages. We expect supply to return to normal by next week,” Ahmed added.

Despite the resolution, a dispute over retail pricing persists. Traders claim that high procurement costs—exceeding BDT 1,300 per cylinder—make it impossible to sell a 12kg cylinder below BDT 1,500 without incurring losses. However, the BERC Chairman maintained that selling above the government-fixed rate of BDT 1,306 for January remains unjustifiable.

The strike, launched abruptly on Wednesday, had halted LPG supplies in major hubs including Dhaka, Gazipur, and the Sylhet division. While operations have resumed, energy experts warn that enforcing the fixed price while closing the supply gap remains a significant challenge.