Bangladesh Gas Crisis Worsens, Threatening Food Security and Economy

Bangladesh is facing a severe gas crisis that has forced factories to shut down, leaving thousands of workers jobless and threatening the country's food security. The crisis began in 2018 when Bangladesh was largely self-sufficient in natural gas, but production declined as older fields depleted.

The Ashuganj fertilizer factory, which once employed over 1,200 people and produced over 1,000 tonnes of fertiliser a day, has been closed since March 2025 due to the gas shortage. The factory is one of six major urea fertiliser plants that have been forced to close down or restrict operations.

Trade union leader Md Abu Kawsar said the shutdowns had cost workers their jobs and threatened an industry linked to food security. 'You cannot simply let these factories sit idle and allow them to deteriorate,' he told AFP. Reviving them could also help save foreign currency.'

The gas shortage has also affected households, with many having switched to wood-burning stoves due to the lack of piped gas. Electricity cuts have left residents without fans in the sweltering humidity.