How dependent is Bangladesh on Middle East oil, gas?
It has been 12 days since the US-Israel war on Iran pushed the Middle East into turmoil, raising fears of a global energy crisis. Many countries, including Pakistan, have taken austerity measures, such as introducing a four-day workweek for public employees and announcing holidays for schools beginning March 16.
In Bangladesh, the government has begun rationing fuel supply to avoid a shortage, as the country meets 95 percent of its oil and 30 percent of its gas requirements through imports. Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar are two key sources.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Now, fears are growing over the adequate supply of fuel as Iran has blocked the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's oil travels, demanding that the US and Israel stop the attack on Iran. Long queues of bikes and cars have been visible at filling stations in the capital, Dhaka, for more than a week. There is no sign of them shortening.
This raises the question: What is the stake of the Middle East in the global energy market?
The Energy Information Administration (EIA) says five of the world's top 10 oil producers are from the Gulf region -- Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Iran and Kuwait. These five countries produced 26.61 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2023, out of total global output of 101.81 million bpd. That means the region accounts for more than one-fourth of daily global oil production.
How much does Bangladesh import from the region?
SAUDI ARABIA, THE UAE MAJOR SUPPLIERS OF CRUDE
Customs data showed that Bangladesh imports crude and refined fuel oil from a range of countries including Iran, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq and Qatar in the Middle East, as well as Singapore, Malaysia and India, to meet its annual demand of roughly 70 lakh tonnes.
During the last 14 months, Bangladesh imported around 20.69 lakh tonnes of crude oil, of which Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Iraq supplied around 13 lakh tonnes, or 63 percent of the total. Malaysia was another supplier, selling 3 lakh tonnes of crude oil, which was 15 percent of the total crude petroleum imports.
Saudi Arabia emerged as the largest individual supplier, exporting 7.10 lakh tonnes, representing roughly 35 percent of the total crude import volume.
The UAE followed as the second-largest source with 6.20 lakh tonnes, accounting for 30 percent.
Eastern Refinery Limited processes the imported crude, refining it into 13 petroleum products, including diesel, petrol, octane and jet fuel.
While crude imports remain concentrated among these four countries, the sourcing of refined products shows a different trend.
PETROL, DIESEL, FURNACE OIL
Bangladesh imported 3 lakh tonnes of petrol during the same period -- between January 2025 and March 2026.
Only five percent, or around 36,000 tonnes, came from the Middle Eastern countries Oman and Qatar, while the largest share was sourced from Singapore, which supplied around 1.15 lakh tonnes, accounting for about 38 percent of total petrol imports.
For diesel and furnace oil, Bangladesh relied heavily on Singapore and Malaysia, with no supplies sourced from Middle Eastern countries.
Of the 39.07 lakh tonnes of diesel imported, Singapore provided 17.5 lakh tonnes, or 45 percent, while Malaysia supplied 8.76 lakh tonnes, or 22 percent.
Similarly, furnace oil imports reached 17.43 lakh tonnes, with Singapore accounting for 10.19 lakh tonnes, or 57 percent, and Malaysia contributing 6.81 lakh tonnes, or 39 percent.
Meanwhile, diesel imports from India are rising, increasing from 70,055 tonnes in 2024 to about 122,000 tonnes in 2025. The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) plans to import more than 100,000 tonnes from India this year.
To facilitate these imports, BPC regularly imports refined products from Numaligarh Refinery Limited. Beyond the rail transport used since 2016, the Bangladesh-India Friendship Pipeline now carries fuel from Numaligarh to Parbatipur in Dinajpur.
LNG AND LPG
During the same period, the country imported 25.86 lakh tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Of this, 16.52 lakh tonnes, or 64 percent, came from Qatar.
Additionally, about 4.36 lakh tonnes, or 17 percent, were imported from the United States. The remaining LNG was sourced from Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Indonesia, Angola, Malaysia, and Australia.
In the case of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), the country was previously heavily dependent on the Middle East, but recently its reliance on the United States has been increasing.
Over the past 14 months, Bangladesh imported 15.87 lakh tonnes of LPG, of which 11.07 lakh tonnes, or 69 percent, came from Middle Eastern countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, and Oman.
Meanwhile, 3.40 lakh tonnes, or 22 percent, were imported from the United States. However, following the recent trade agreement between the US and the Bangladesh government, dependence on the Middle East has begun to decline.
In the last two months alone, 62 percent of the total 1.73 lakh tonnes of LPG imports came from the United States.
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