Bangladesh’s energy import pattern is shifting sharply, with diesel, crude oil and aviation fuel rising, while furnace oil and bitumen continue to decline, reflecting changes in power generation, transport demand and industrial activity.
Data from the National Board of Revenue (NBR) between 2020 and early May 2026 shows a clear divergence. Imports of crude oil, diesel and jet fuel have increased significantly, while furnace oil and bitumen have recorded steady declines.
The trend signals a structural transition in energy use, moving away from fuels used in power plants and construction towards transport and refined fuels driven by economic activity.
Bangladesh remains heavily dependent on imports. Around 92 per cent of total fuel demand is met through imports by Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC), while only about 8 per cent comes from local sources.
Crude oil imports have seen one of the sharpest increases. Volumes rose from 6.51 lakh tonnes in 2020 to 15.21 lakh tonnes in 2025, an increase of about 133 per cent. By 5 April 2026, imports had already reached 5.53 lakh tonnes.
Import costs also surged. Expenditure jumped from around Tk2,000 crore in 2020 to Tk13,907 crore in 2025, reflecting both higher volumes and rising global prices.
Industry insiders said the increase was driven by global price volatility, currency pressure and rising domestic demand. Crude oil is processed at Eastern Refinery Limited (ERL) in Chattogram, which refines about 15 lakh tonnes annually, meeting roughly 20–25 per cent of national demand.
Diesel imports have also climbed steadily. Volumes increased from 18.81 lakh tonnes in 2020 to 32.22 lakh tonnes in 2025, a rise of around 71 per cent.
Import value rose sharply from Tk7,784 crore to Tk28,016 crore, an increase of more than 250 per cent. Tax collection from diesel imports also increased significantly, reaching nearly Tk6,956 crore.
Diesel demand is driven by transport, agriculture and power generation. According to BPC, diesel accounts for nearly 69 per cent of its refined fuel supply.
Aviation fuel has recorded the fastest growth. Imports of Mobil jet oil rose from 32,000 tonnes in 2020 to 2.34 lakh tonnes in 2025, an increase of around 600 per cent.
Officials said the surge reflects rising domestic and international flight movements. Demand for jet fuel is expected to grow further as air traffic expands.
JP1 kerosene-type jet fuel has also shown moderate growth, stabilising at around 50,000 tonnes annually after peaking at about 62,000 tonnes in 2021–22.
In contrast, furnace oil imports have declined sharply. After peaking at 45.1 lakh tonnes in 2021, imports fell to 16.02 lakh tonnes in 2025, a drop of around 65 per cent.
Compared with 2020, the decline is about 20 per cent. Officials said the fall reflects reduced reliance on oil-based power generation as gas supply improves.
Bitumen imports have also dropped significantly. Drum bitumen imports declined from 2.48 lakh tonnes in 2020 to 1.10 lakh tonnes in 2025, a fall of around 55 per cent.
Imports in other bitumen categories have nearly halved since 2023, reflecting fluctuations in infrastructure development activity.
Officials said bitumen demand depends on the pace of development projects and may rise again if construction activity accelerates.
Base oil imports, however, have grown steadily. Volumes increased from 46,729 tonnes in 2020 to 58,761 tonnes in 2025, a rise of about 25 per cent, reflecting stable growth in the lubricant and industrial oil market.
Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation General Manager of Commercial and Operations Md Murshed Hossain Azad said the corporation imports a wide range of refined products, including diesel, jet fuel, marine fuel and furnace oil.
He said diesel dominates the fuel mix, accounting for the largest share of consumption.
He added that the rise in jet fuel imports is linked to increased flight operations, while the decline in furnace oil reflects greater use of gas in power generation.
On bitumen, he said demand fluctuates depending on the pace of national development projects, as it is both a by-product of crude oil refining and an imported commodity.
