How refrigerators are changing lives in rural Bangladesh

Limon Patwary, a primary school teacher from Pabna, bought his first refrigerator earlier this year. He didn't expect it would bring such a transformation to his family's daily life.

"Before we had a fridge, we had to cook and eat everything on the same day. Leftovers would rot, and we would end up throwing away food after each meal," he said. 

Now, his family stores extra food in the refrigerator and consumes it the next day, still fresh and safe. "It saves us time, effort, and money. I can't imagine life without it now," he added.

Similar sentiment is shared across rural Bangladesh. Refrigerators, once considered a luxury only found in urban homes, have now become an essential appliance in many rural households. 

Miran Rahman, a university student from Dinajpur, lives in a hostel. He shared how essential a refrigerator has become for his daily life. 

"I visit my hometown once a month. I bring cooked food from home and store it for days. It saves time and helps me manage," he said.

For students and young workers, fridges are now key to food safety and daily routine.

According to the Bangladesh Sample Vital Statistics (BSVS) 2023, released by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) found that the percentage of households owning a refrigerator/oven/washing machine was 38.97% in 2021. This figure subsequently increased to 43.77% in 2022, and as of the latest update in 2023, it has risen further to 47.94%.

This figure reflects a broader trend in the adoption of refrigerators that are quietly changing lives, allowing food preservation, improving health, and supporting livelihoods for many rural families.

Refrigerators move beyond the cities

"Refrigerators are no longer a luxury—they've become a necessity in both urban and rural areas," said Nurul Afsar, deputy managing director of Electro Mart.

He credits three key changes for the refrigerator boom in rural Bangladesh: better access to electricity, more affordable prices thanks to local production, and wider distribution through growing dealer networks.

As a result, rural customers are now exploring a range of models—from single-door to side-by-side units. Top-mount fridges remain the most popular, followed by bottom-mount ones. Frost models still lead the market, though no-frost versions are gaining ground.

Solving real-world problems

For Anwar Mridha, a resident of Khulna, owning a fridge has been nothing short of life-changing. "We used to rely on clay pots, but food would spoil fast and attract insects," he recalled. After buying a refrigerator on instalment, he says mealtimes are now safer and far less wasteful.

Beyond convenience, fridges are increasingly becoming a health essential in rural households.

Nazrul Ahmed, a farmer from Tangail, explained how crucial it is for his diabetic wife. "Insulin must be kept cold. Without a fridge, we constantly worried about its effectiveness. Now, we finally feel at ease," he said.

For dairy farmer Nur Izaz, also from Tangail, the fridge serves another purpose—storing medicine for his cows. "If I didn't have one, I'd be running to town every time a cow needed treatment. It would be a nightmare," he shared.

And for young mothers like Rafsani Ahmed in Rangpur, the refrigerator offers a sense of control. With a one-year-old to care for, she often stores milk to use when needed. "It's a lifesaver. I know my baby is getting clean, nutritious milk—even if I can't make it to the market every day," she said.

Seasonal demand and religious significance

Refrigerators have become essential during festivals too, especially Eid al-Adha. "We receive a lot of meat during Qurbani. Without a fridge, it wouldn't last a day. Now we can store it for weeks," said Rafiq Mia from Bhola.

This seasonal demand surge is seen across the country. "Refrigerator sales have more than doubled in recent weeks, even with a Tk1,000–2,000 price hike," said Humyun Kabir, a dealer in Faridpur.

So why are people still buying despite rising prices? One big reason is EMI (equal monthly instalments). "With just 10% down, families can take home a fridge and pay the rest over 6–12 months," said Nurul Afsar of Electro Mart.

Fridges are also more energy-efficient now. "Old ones were bulky and drove up our electric bills. Today's models are compact and cost less to run," said Anwar Mridha. This matters even more in rural areas where electricity is limited or expensive.

Cooling revolution in progress

Rising fridge ownership in rural Bangladesh reflects changing lifestyles—better food storage, time management, and family care. With improved power, financing, and distribution, fridges now reach teachers, farmers, mothers, and dairy owners, transforming daily life and health.

Rafsani Ahmed puts it like this, "It's not about status. It's about necessity."

The fridge has shifted from status symbol to survival tool, reflecting rising aspirations and better rural infrastructure. In areas where food security and health are key, it quietly brings change, preserving milk, storing medicine, and offering a safer, more efficient life. That's real progress.