Bangladesh’s imports of energy products, industrial raw materials, and essential commodities surged in May, driven by efforts to maintain uninterrupted power generation, support major infrastructure projects, and ensure adequate supplies of food and consumer goods.
Despite an overall decline in national import volumes, key sectors continued to require high quantities of critical materials.
Analysis of National Board of Revenue (NBR) product-wise data for May 2026 shows that liquefied natural gas (LNG), coal, stone, soybean, and wheat were among the most imported commodities, reflecting sustained demand from the power sector and ongoing development projects, even as total national imports fell compared with April.
Stone tops import volume
Crushed stone emerged as the single largest imported commodity by volume in May, with 11.48 billion kg imported at an assessed customs value of around Tk309.72 crore. The import trend remained largely unchanged from April, underscoring continued demand from large-scale infrastructure and construction projects. Industry insiders said government mega projects and private-sector construction activities continue to drive imports of stone and other building materials.
LNG becomes costliest import
While stone led in volume, LNG remained the most expensive import by value. Bangladesh imported 8.07 billion kg of LNG in May at an assessed value of Tk50,735.24 crore. Energy-sector officials said imports rose to meet peak summer electricity demand and reduce load shedding. Power producers procured LNG from the international spot market at high prices to ensure uninterrupted generation.
Coal and LPG imports remain high
Coal imports also remained substantial, with 25.14 billion kg imported at a value exceeding Tk27,695 crore. Liquefied butane imports, a key LPG component, exceeded 136 million kg, valued at more than Tk12,994 crore, to meet household and commercial demand.
Cement raw materials maintain strong demand
Major cement-industry inputs were also imported in large quantities: 396.57 million kg of fly ash (Tk593.3 million), 358.91 million kg of limestone (Tk455.5 million) and 261.57 million kg of gypsum (Tk1,056.3 million). Industry insiders said the continued import of clinker, gypsum and other cement inputs worth over Tk1,000 crore reflects strong demand following the start of the dry construction season in April.
Soybean and wheat lead essential commodities
Among essential commodities, 252.32 million kg of soybeans were imported, valued at over Tk13,422 crore, with large consignments arriving after settlement of import letters of credit by local refiners. Around 100 million kg of soybean meal were imported for poultry and dairy industries at Tk5,085 crore. Wheat imports remained strong, with 156.18 million kg of durum wheat valued at Tk5,291 crore arriving from suppliers including Russia and Ukraine. Crude soybean oil imports totaled 122.5 million kg and palm oil 427.3 million kg.
Overall imports decline
Bangladesh imported 11.71 million metric tonnes of commercial goods (IM-4) in May, valued at Tk52,267.77 crore. Duty-free imports (IM-7) totaled 1.24 million tonnes at Tk32,009.07 crore. Compared with April, commercial imports fell 9.11 per cent in volume and 16.48 per cent in value, while duty-free imports dropped 24.45 per cent in volume and 5.38 per cent in value.
Chattogram Port defies national trend
Although national import volumes declined, Chattogram Port recorded a significant increase, handling 11.48 million tonnes of import cargo, a 10.67 per cent rise from April. Handling nearly 92 per cent of the country’s seaborne trade, the port benefited from year-end import activity and large consignments of energy, industrial and food commodities.
President of the Chattogram Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Chairman of Seacom Group Mohammed Amirul Haque told TIMES of Bangladesh, “Imports usually increase ahead of the close of the fiscal year in June. As a result, import volumes through Chattogram Port rose in May compared with the previous few months.”
