Fuel Stock: No shortage, only demand spike
Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud on Tuesday said the country’s fuel distribution system has come under pressure due to an unexpected surge in consumer demand, causing temporary disruptions at petrol pumps, even though adequate fuel stocks are available.
Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat, the minister said petrol and diesel are being sold much faster than usual as motorists rush to filling stations, creating long queues and delays in replenishment.
He explained that tank lorries previously supplied fuel throughout the day with some surplus remaining, but the unusually high demand is now exhausting daily supplies within a few hours.
The minister attributed the situation to distribution delays rather than any actual shortage, noting that transporting fuel from depots to petrol pumps takes time.
As a result, temporary shortages may occur in the early hours of the day, but supplies are restored later once tankers arrive.
“When demand rises suddenly, the supply chain faces pressure. The current situation is mainly driven by excessive demand rather than a shortage of fuel,” he said, urging consumers not to purchase fuel beyond their immediate needs.
He also said the government would take necessary steps to prevent hoarding if the situation worsens and added that any decision on fuel pricing would be taken by the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC).
State Minister Anindya Islam Amit was also present at the briefing.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) Chairman Md Rezanur Rahman confirmed that the country has sufficient fuel reserves to maintain normal supply.
He said Bangladesh currently holds around 136,000 metric tonnes of refined fuel, while nearly 100,000 tonnes of crude oil are stored at the Eastern Refinery in Chattogram.
According to BPC estimates, the existing stock can meet normal demand for 20 to 22 days even without new supply.
Officials also noted that new oil tankers continue to arrive regularly and the government is purchasing fuel from the spot market when necessary to ensure uninterrupted supply.
Authorities have urged the public not to pay heed to rumours or misleading information circulating on social media, warning that panic buying could disrupt the normal distribution system and create artificial shortages.
The government reiterated that there is no fuel crisis in the country and called on citizens to rely on official information and act responsibly to maintain stability in the energy supply system.
