According to the report on bottled liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices, the regulator verified, in January, “in the G26 propane bottle [11 kilograms (kg)] a difference of 8.4%, representing an announced price higher than the efficient price by 2,600 euros/bottle", "in the G110 propane bottle [45 kg] a difference of 8.9%, representing an advertised price higher than the efficient price by 9,886 euros/bottle" and "in the G26 butane bottle [13 kg] a difference of 9.8%, representing an advertised price higher than the efficient price of 3.054 euros/bottle”.

ERSE had estimated that, in January, the average monthly price (efficient price) for bottled LPG should drop by 2.75% for the G26 propane bottle, 3.12% for the G110 bottle and 4.69% for the G26 butane bottle, compared to December, in line with international prices.

Reflecting the “downward trend in international market prices, the efficient prices are 28.21 euros for the G26 propane bottle, representing a 2.75% decrease compared to the efficient price of December; 101.30 euros for the G110 propane bottle, representing a decrease of 3.12% compared to the efficient price of December; 28.18 euros for the butane G26 bottle, representing a decrease of 4.69% compared to the efficient price of December”, indicated ERSE, on 19 January.

In November and December, the regulator had already observed prices higher than its estimate, after the intervention in the market that set maximum prices for propane and butane bottles in types T3 and T5, between 15 August and 30 October. “In September and October, announced prices were in line with efficient prices, as a result of regulatory intervention in the market”, pointed out ERSE.

In mid-August, the Government again set maximum prices for bottled gas, as had already happened during the covid-19 pandemic, with ERSE pointing out the existence of structural problems in the market, with prices out of step with international quotations, to justify the setting of maximum values. The Government may once again set maximum prices if the regulator signals the existence of abusive margins on the part of operators.

As for February, reflecting the “climbing trend in international market prices”, the regulator estimates that the average monthly price (efficient price) for bottled LPG will be 29.40 euros for the G26 propane bottle, representing an increase of 4.20% compared to the effective January price of 106.136 euros for the G110 propane bottle, representing an increase of 4.77%, and 29.03 euros for the G26 butane bottle, representing an increase of 3.01 %.