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Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinder prices will remain unchanged throughout october 2026, despite rising international propane rates, because the Government will continue to absorb the increases through an extraordinary subsidy and a price stabilization measure.
Consequently, commercial cylinder prices will hold steady at US$15.50 for the 35-pound cylinder, US$11.13 for the 25-pound size, US$8.98 for the 20-pound size, and US$4.61 for the 10-pound size, matching the rates recorded in september.
Without these measures, final consumer prices would have risen to US$16.84 for the 35-pound cylinder, US$12.09 for the 25-pound size, US$9.75 for the 20-pound size, and US$5.01 for the 10-pound size.
The stabilization mechanism will absorb price increases of US$1.34 for the 35-pound cylinder, US$0.96 for the 25-pound size, US$0.77 for the 20-pound size, and US$0.40 for the 10-pound size, preventing these hikes from directly affecting consumers’ pockets.
Furthermore, families benefiting from the targeted US$8.04 subsidy will continue to pay only US$3.09 for the 25-pound cylinder.
This measure remains in effect following the extension of the Special and Transitional Law for LPG Price Stabilization, through which the Government aims to keep prices stable for this essential product used by salvadoran families.
Lower reserves and international tensions put pressure on prices
The price increase that would have been applied in october is primarily driven by international market factors.
According to the Dirección General de Energía, Hidrocarburos y Minas (DGEHM), the International Energy Agency (IEA) reported a 1.7-million-barrel reduction in U.S. propane reserves during september.
Compounding this decline are tensions in the Middle East and transit difficulties in the Strait of Hormuz, factors that have altered international market flows.
Faced with these conditions, the Asian market increased its demand for U.S. product, contributing to a rise in international prices for petroleum derivatives and, consequently, upward pressure on LPG prices.
Thus, although international conditions would have otherwise caused an increase of nearly US$1.00 or more across various propane gas formats, salvadoran consumers will see the same commercial rates in effect in september continue through october.
