Bangladesh’s fuel reserves for key petroleum products have fallen below 10 days, signalling tightening supply margins, according to official data.
Figures from the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, provided on Thursday, show that diesel, octane and petrol stocks would last less than 10 days if current daily supply rates continue.
Diesel stock stands at 122,660 tonnes, against a daily government supply of 12,777 tonnes, giving a cover of about 9.6 days.
Octane reserves of 9,021 tonnes, with a daily supply of 1,193 tonnes, translate into roughly 7.6 days of cover.
Petrol stock of 12,194 tonnes, against a daily supply of 1,496 tonnes, may last around 8.2 days.
The daily supply figures are based on a Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation office order issued on 15 March, factoring in demand patterns from the same period last year.
Diesel, the most widely used fuel in transport and industry, carries the highest demand, making its limited stock duration critical.
Octane and petrol, mainly used in private transport, are also under pressure with narrow supply buffers.
Authorities have maintained that overall supply remains stable and said reserves are being closely monitored while imports are coordinated to avoid disruption.
“There is currently no shortage of fuel in the country,” Energy Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood told TIMES of Bangladesh on Wednesday.
Supply concerns intensified after conflict broke out in the Middle East on 28 February triggering panic buying in some areas.
The government has since moved to source fuel from spot markets and other global suppliers while maintaining diplomatic communication to ensure vessel movement through the Strait of Hormuz.
