Gas Crisis Turns into Food Security Issue as Bangladesh's Supply Deficit Worsens

Bangladesh's gas crisis has escalated into a food security issue due to the shutdown of one of the two floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs) at Maheshkhali in Cox's Bazar. The country's daily demand for gas is around 3.8 billion cubic feet, while a supply of about 3.0 billion cubic feet is necessary to avoid serious shortages. However, the average supply had fallen to around 2.7 billion cubic feet before the latest disruption, and has now dropped further to around 2.2 billion cubic feet due to the shutdown.

The shutdown has taken about 450 million cubic feet of gas per day (450 mmcfd) out of the national grid, widening the supply deficit to approximately 1.6 billion cubic feet. Imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) now accounts for about 35 to 40 percent of the total gas supply, making the country heavily dependent on imports.

Ordinary people are experiencing the shortage as an interruption in their daily lives, with households in different areas of Dhaka unable to cook despite paying their monthly gas bills. Many families have been compelled to buy Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders or use electric stoves, adding another expenditure to their already strained household budgets.