The Energy and Mineral Resources Division says diesel demand in April is around 400,000 tonnes. Current diesel stocks stand at about 102,000 tonnes, with four incoming vessels expected to add more than 100,000 tonnes. An additional 80,000 tonnes is also available for emergency use if needed, while more imports are in progress. Up to April 17, average daily diesel sales were 11,107 tonnes, compared with 11,862 tonnes a day in April last year. From today, daily diesel supply is set to rise by 10 percent to 13,048 tonnes.

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit said annual fuel demand normally grows by only 4 to 5 percent, making the recent spike in demand appear unusual. However, since consumers are facing difficulties, the government is considering increasing fuel supplies.

Octane Supply Being Raised the Most

According to ministry and BPC data, Bangladesh has the capacity to store 45,819 tonnes of octane. After sales on April 17, stocks were at 29,484 tonnes — enough for about 25 days at current supply levels. A ship carrying 25,000 tonnes of octane arrived at Chattogram Port last Friday, which would push reserves above storage capacity once unloaded. Domestic production is also adding to supplies daily, meaning there is currently no shortage of octane.

Fuel station owners say most customer crowds are for octane and petrol, making higher supply essential. Many stations reportedly sell out within three to four hours. They added that supply must also be expanded to agents, distributors and dealers, otherwise filling stations alone will struggle to meet demand. Diesel supply to all sales outlets should also be increased.

Octane is commonly used in motorcycles, private cars and microbuses, accounting for about 6 percent of total annual fuel supply. In the last fiscal year, Bangladesh sold 415,000 tonnes of octane, half of which was locally produced and half imported.

BPC data shows average daily octane supply was 1,193 tonnes in March last year. Demand linked to the war pushed that up by 26 tonnes this March to 1,219 tonnes per day. Supplies were later reduced. So far this month, average daily octane supply is down by 56 tonnes from last year and 90 tonnes from last month.

Until April 17, depots supplied an average of 1,129 tonnes of octane daily. In April last year, average daily sales were 1,185 tonnes. From today, another 237 tonnes will be added to daily octane supply.

Petrol Supply Also Increasing

Petrol is also used in motorcycles, some older private cars, CNG autorickshaws, lagoon vehicles and grass-cutting machines. It makes up around 7 percent of national fuel supply and is fully produced domestically, though condensate must be imported as raw material. Current petrol stocks are 18,830 tonnes. Average daily petrol sales in April were 1,253 tonnes, compared with 1,374 tonnes in April last year. Supply will increase by another 137 tonnes from today.

Former BUET professor and energy expert Ijaz Hossain said raising supply is a positive move, but it may not fully solve the problem. He noted that many people fear fuel shortages, and additional measures are needed, such as increasing supply sources in Dhaka, expanding QR-code based fuel distribution, and reviewing demand and management issues.