He propane gas price registered an increase in Guatemala, which impacts thousands of homes that use this fuel for food preparation. The cylinder of 25 pounds went from Q110 to Q115; the one of 35 poundsof Q154 to Q161and that of 100 poundsof Q440 to Q460.
The adjustment occurs in the middle of pressures in the international market caused due to geopolitical conflicts and the increase in the cost of global logistics. In addition, the final price of the product incorporates costs of freight, insurance, exchange rate, storage, ground transportation, packaging and distribution.
During the program Direct Impactof Guatevisionanalysts addressed the increase in propane gas in Guatemalaits international causes, the weight of the product in the family basket and the impact it can have on homes that depend on the cylinder for cooking.
The rise in gas and its causes
The adjustment was attributed to a combination of geopolitical tensionsincrease in the cost of international logistics and costs associated with the product, such as freight, insurance, exchange rate, storage, transportation, packaging and distribution. President Bernardo Arévalo affirmed that the country has cushioned part of the external impact.
“In Guatemala we have managed to absorb the increases in gas at the international level and the increases are lower than those registered internationally,” he said.
The hit to families’ pockets
One of the analysts pointed out that gas is a strategic energy product, because Guatemala does not produce it and depends on imports. “At the slightest increase or international conflicts we are affected,” he stated.
He also warned that the increase is not only reflected in households that buy cylinders.
“Restaurants, tortilla shops, all of that is going to increase the cost and it is always passed on to the consumer,” he indicated.
The analysis focused on the impact for families with limited income.
“There are households in Guatemala that are surviving the day with Q15, with that they are eating, and that increase is destroying them at this moment,” said one of the participants.
Anxiety, economic pressure and coexistence
The analysts also addressed the emotional effects of the increase. One of the experts pointed out that the price increase not only affects the budget, but can increase the stressthe anxiety and family conflicts.
“When we talk about price increases, we are not just talking about the economic repercussions for the home,” he explained. He added that these pressures can generate complications in coexistence.
In that context, one phrase summarized the social focus of the program: “When poverty enters through the door, love leaves through the window.”
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