Another blow for Spanish households as bottled gas price shoots up again
The cost of a gas cylinder, or bombona de butano, in Spain is nearing the all-time high
Usually at this time of year, we’re switching out the bottled gas from our heaters to the BBQ but with the weather continuing its very unsettled trend, it looks like we’ll be huddled around the stoves for another while yet. This is definitely bad news since the price of gas canisters is set to increase for the fifth consecutive time.
From Tuesday May 20, a butane gas cylinder (bombona de butano) will set you back €18 including taxes, which us a 1.87% increase compared to the €17.67 we’ve been paying for the last two months.
This new inflated price will remain in place for another two months, until the third Tuesday of July, when it will be reviewed again based on international quotes.
This bimonthly price review is calculated based on the cost of raw materials (propane and butane) on international markets, as well as the cost of freight (transportation) and the euro-dollar exchange rate. Furthermore, this price review, upwards or downwards, is limited to 5%, with any excess or deficiency accruing for subsequent revisions.
But the reality is that the cost of gas for households has been steadily climbing since last summer.
The price went up mainly because the formula used to set prices now includes a new, higher marketing cost (0.86 euros), which was approved in a recent government order. This change helps make up for a previous shortfall in pricing.
However, the price increase was made a bit smaller because the cost of raw materials dropped by 12.17% and shipping costs also fell slightly (by 0.58%).
While households are undoubtedly feeling the pinch, butane prices are nowhere near the all-time high reached in May 2022, when a gas bottle cost a whopping €19.55. The least expensive rate was recorded in July 2016, when bottled gas cost just €11.27.
Image: Archive
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