Kitchen Crisis

The energy crisis has begun to feel painfully personal for households across Bangladesh, especially in the kitchen.

- Mollah Amzad Hossain & Afroza Akther Pervin

As 2026 began, what had long been described as a shortage of cooking fuel suddenly turned into a daily struggle. In many parts of the country, including large areas of Dhaka, families have gone days, even nights, without a flame in their stoves.

The energy crisis has begun to feel painfully personal for households across Bangladesh, especially in the kitchen. As 2026 began, what had long been described as a shortage of cooking fuel suddenly turned into a daily struggle. In many parts of the country, including large areas of Dhaka, families who depend on piped gas have gone days, even nights, without a flame in their stoves. Meals are delayed, routines are disrupted, and frustration is mounting.

For those trying to cope by switching to LPG, relief has proved elusive. Supplies have tightened sharply, and in many neighborhoods, LPG cylinders cannot be found at all—no matter the price. A 12-kg cylinder, officially priced at BDT 1,306, is unavailable in many areas even when buyers are willing to pay nearly twice that amount. The uncertainty over when normal supply will resume has only deepened public anxiety.

Some households have tried turning to electric cooking as a last resort, but that option has brought its own challenges. Induction cookers have quickly disappeared from store shelves, adding yet another layer to the crisis. Even when electricity is available, the tools needed to use it are not.

Despite the involvement of both public agencies and private suppliers, tangible relief remains out of reach. The LPG shortage continues to affect Dhaka and other regions, and recent disruptions—including a short-lived strike by LPG traders—have left lingering effects in the market. Although the strike was resolved within hours, its impact is still being felt, reinforcing a growing sense among consumers that the crisis is far from over.