LPG price hiked again by Tk 151

Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) on Thursday raised the retail price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by Tk 151 for 12.5kg cylinders for March.

A 12.5kg LPG cylinder will now cost Tk 1,391, including the value added tax (VAT). The prices came into effect on Thursday, a BERC notice said.

Besides, the price of per kg centrally reticulated LPG has been hiked from Tk 100.1 to Tk 112.65.

At the same time, the price of auto gas used in motor vehicles has been increased from Tk 57.81 to Tk 64.78 per litre.

BERC Chairman Abdul Jalil said the Russia-Ukraine war had pushed up LPG prices globally, creating a crisis in the energy market.

“We are forced to hike local LPG prices as the Saudi contract price (CP) has risen globally – from $775 per tonne to $911,” he said.

LPG industry insiders said the Saudi CP is normally announced at the end of every month to make it effective for the next month. It takes seven to 10 days for a fuel shipment to arrive in Bangladesh.

Most Bangladeshi private companies import their bulk LPG from the Middle East based on the Saudi CP, and then market it locally.

The BERC for the first time fixed retail LPG prices on April 12 last year after holding a public hearing, complying with a High Court order.