Rising energy and fuel prices are continuing to place significant upward pressure on inflation in Bangladesh, according to the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD).
At a media briefing in Dhaka on Thursday, the independent think-tank said higher fuel, transport, and energy-related costs have been steadily increasing the prices of essential goods across the country.
CPD Executive Director Fahmida Khatun said the Bangladesh economy is currently facing multiple challenges, including structural weaknesses and exposure to external shocks that are making inflation management difficult.
The organisation noted that inflation reached 9.04 per cent in April 2026, with energy costs playing a central role in the increase. Wage growth, however, has not kept pace with rising prices, reducing purchasing power, particularly for low-income and fixed-income groups.
According to CPD, fuel prices saw sharp increases between December 2025 and May 2026. Diesel prices rose by 15 per cent, while petrol, octane, and kerosene prices increased by around 20 per cent over the same period.
These increases quickly affected transport costs, pushing up bus fares and raising the cost of transporting goods nationwide, further adding to inflationary pressure in the market.
The think-tank also highlighted a significant rise in cooking fuel costs. A 12-kg LPG cylinder increased from Tk1,341 in March to Tk1,885 in June, marking a rise of more than 40 per cent within three months.
CPD further said that Bangladesh’s dependence on imported fuel makes it highly vulnerable to global energy shocks, including recent disruptions linked to Middle East tensions.
Beyond fuel prices, the organisation pointed to inefficiencies in supply chains and the presence of multiple intermediaries as additional factors contributing to rising retail prices of essential commodities.
