In the first days of March of this year, the highest prices were reported in the Dominican Republic, while the lowest were registered in the Panamanian capital.
The regional report on average prices to the final consumer of gasoline, diesel and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in Central America, effective for the week of February 27 to March 7, 2021, was made based on official prices and monitoring or surveys carried out by the different General Directorates of Hydrocarbons or equivalent, in the capital of each Central American country.
Because the price of fuels in Nicaragua has increased consecutively during the last 18 weeks, companies dedicated to provide cargo services announce that rates could increase between 5% and 10%.
During 2020 the price of hydrocarbons was considerably reduced, but currently in the international market the price of a barrel of oil exceeds $60, which is similar to the amount reported prior to the covid-19 pandemic.
In Central America, it is projected that the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on the business of retail sales of gasoline and oil products will be explained mainly by the expected drop in gasoline and diesel sales.
The "Information System for the Impact Analysis of covid-19 on Business", prepared by the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData, measures the degree of impact that the crisis will have on companies according to their sector or economic activity, during the coming months.
Price per gallon of regular gasoline: Costa Rica $3.87, Nicaragua $3.28, Honduras $3.27, Guatemala $2.93, El Salvador $2.54 and Panama, $2.81
From the Ministry of Economy report of El Salvador:
The current reference prices present significant declines for gasoline and diesel, these declines respond directly to the events of the break of the pact between OPEC, led by Saudi Arabia, and the countries that had made an alliance with the organization, represented by Russia.
Price per gallon of regular gasoline: Costa Rica $3.82, Nicaragua $3.61, Honduras $3.39, Guatemala $2.99, El Salvador $2.98 and Panama $2.81.
From the Ministry of Economy of El Salvador report:
The current reference prices for gasoline and diesel maintain a mixed trend (ups and downs), these variations are because of the continuous fall in the reserves of these products.
Price per gallon of regular gasoline: Costa Rica $4.10, Nicaragua $3.51, Honduras $3.39, El Salvador $2.95, Guatemala $2.92 and Panama $2.81.
From the report of the Ministry of Economy of El Salvador:
The current reference prices for gasoline and diesel show a mixed trend (ups and downs), these variations are due to the continuous fall in the reserves of these products, according to reports provided by the IEA in February 2020.
The private sector believes that Ortega's creation of new state-owned companies to exploit oil and import and market gas and fuel will generate dumping in the country.
On February 11, the Law creating the Nicaraguan Gas Company (Enigas), the Law creating the Nicaraguan Company for hydrocarbon storage and distribution facilities (Eniplanh), the Law creating the national company for the exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons (ENIH) and the Law creating the Nicaraguan company for the import, transportation and commercialization of hydrocarbons (Enicom) were approved as a matter of national urgency.
Through the creation of four new state-owned companies, President Ortega seeks to control the exploration and exploitation of oil in Nicaragua, as well as the import, storage, distribution and marketing of gas and fuels.
With the approval of the law initiatives, the government seeks to transfer the control that Alba de Nicaragua S.A. used to have in this market.
Price per gallon of regular gasoline: Costa Rica $4.08, Nicaragua $3.52, Honduras $3.51, El Salvador $2.96, Guatemala $2.96 and Panama $2.81.
From a statement by the Ministry of Economy of El Salvador:
The current reference prices for gasoline and diesel show a marked decline at the national level, which reflects the emergency experienced by China because of the coronavirus.
Price per gallon of regular gasoline: Costa Rica $4.07, Nicaragua $3.52, Honduras $3.45, El Salvador $3.04, Guatemala $3.02 and Panama, $2.83
From a statement by the Ministry of Economy of El Salvador:
The current reference prices for gasoline and diesel, show low prices at national level, due to the outcome of the conflict between the United States and Iran, where the Arab country attacked two military bases located in Iraqi territory.
Price per gallon of regular gasoline: Costa Rica $4.07, Nicaragua $3.52, Honduras $3.45, El Salvador $3.04, Guatemala $3.02 and Panama $2.83
From the Ministry of Economy of El Salvador's statement:
The current reference prices for gasoline and diesel present generalized increases, due to the recent geopolitical conflicts between the United States and Iran during the first weeks of January 2020, which is why the international prices of oil and derivatives increased by an average of 4%.
Price per gallon of regular gasoline: Costa Rica $4.11, Nicaragua $3.57, Honduras $3.46, Guatemala $3.09, El Salvador $3.07 and Panama, $2.85
From the Ministry of Economy of El Salvador's statement:
The current reference prices show increases in all their presentations, because of the announcement given by the United States and China, about the signing of phase 1 of the economic conflict in January 2020.
Price of a gallon of regular gasoline: Costa Rica $ 4.07, Nicaragua $ 3.52, Honduras $ 3.45, El Salvador $ 3.04, Guatemala $ 3.02 and Panama, $ 2.83.
From the Ministry of Economy of El Salvador:
The current reference prices present their second combined variation for gasoline and diesel; this trend is the result of the increase in gasoline and distillate reserves.
Price per gallon of regular gasoline: Costa Rica $4.12, Nicaragua $3.52, Honduras $3.45, El Salvador $3.07, Guatemala $3.05 and Panama $2.86.
From the Ministry of Economy of El Salvador statement:
The current reference prices present combined variation for gasoline and diesel; this trend responds to the economic conflict between the largest producer of oil and derivatives (United States) and the largest consumer of the same (China) that has extended for 16 months. The United States has scheduled for next December 15, a 15% increase in tariffs on Chinese products for a value of US$160 billion dollars, generating uncertainty in the international hydrocarbons market. Therefore, if such an increase is imposed, the demand for oil derivatives could decrease, generating an oversupply.
Price per gallon of regular gasoline: Costa Rica $4, Nicaragua $3.56, Honduras $3.44, El Salvador $3.06, Guatemala $3.06 and Panama $2.86.
From the Ministry of Economy of El Salvador statement:
The current reference prices show their second consecutive decline in gasoline and diesel for the current fortnight, these decreases are the result of the increase in U.S.