Gasoline prices in Puerto Rico fall at start of week after yearly rise
The Department of Consumer Affairs reported reductions in regular, premium and diesel prices compared to the previous week, even as average prices remain more than 31 percent higher than a year ago.
PhotoThe short version
- Metro Puerto Rico reports that regular gasoline now sells between 113.7 and 117.7 cents per liter, down from 116.7 to 119.7 cents the prior week
- Premium gasoline ranges from 126.7 to 137.7 cents per liter and diesel from 149.7 to 155.7 cents per liter, both lower than the previous week according to DACO
- Sin Comillas reported that the August average price was $1.055 per liter, 31.4 percent above the level from 12 months earlier
- Prices reached $1.202 per liter by late September, up 33.3 percent since the start of U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, Sin Comillas stated
Weekly price reductions
Puerto Rican drivers began the work week with lower fuel prices. Metro Puerto Rico reported on Oct. 19 that the Department of Consumer Affairs (DACO) confirmed reductions in regular and premium gasoline as well as in the maximum price of diesel.
According to the data published by DACO, regular gasoline is sold in the range of 113.7 to 117.7 cents per liter, below the 116.7 to 119.7 cents recorded the previous Monday. Premium gasoline now fluctuates between 126.7 and 137.7 cents per liter, down from 129.7 to 139.7 cents. Diesel is priced between 149.7 and 155.7 cents per liter, with a two-cent reduction at the upper end of the range. Metro Puerto Rico reported.
Also on PuertoRico.com: Cost of living in Puerto Rico
Year-over-year increase
Despite the weekly decline, prices remain substantially higher than a year ago. Sin Comillas reported that the average consumer price of gasoline in August stood at $1.055 per liter according to DACO data, a 31.4 percent increase from the same month the previous year.
The article links the broader rise to international events, including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz after U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran. By the end of September prices had climbed to $1.202 per liter, representing a 33.3 percent increase since the beginning of that conflict, Sin Comillas reported. Current international benchmark prices are $111.33 per barrel for Brent and $108.15 per barrel for West Texas Intermediate.
Where the sources differ
Both sources rely on data from the Departamento de Asuntos del Consumidor (DACO). Metro Puerto Rico, published Oct. 19, focuses on the immediate weekly reductions in maximum and minimum prices for regular gasoline, premium gasoline and diesel. Sin Comillas, published Oct. 20, reports the 31.4 percent year-over-year increase through August and the further rise to $1.202 per liter by late September, attributing the surge to geopolitical events and providing international oil benchmark figures. The sources do not conflict on numbers but cover different time frames: one week versus one year.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not state the current average price per liter on Oct. 20, the volume of gasoline consumed in Puerto Rico, the exact impact on household budgets, or any specific actions planned by the government beyond DACO's ongoing monitoring. They also do not indicate whether further weekly declines are expected or provide a forecast for local prices in the coming months.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Official Baja el precio de la gasolina en Puerto Rico al comenzar la semana
- Reporting Baja el precio de la gasolina en Puerto Rico al comenzar la semana
- Reporting El precio de la gasolina aumenta 31.4% respecto al año pasado
How we checked this
Metro Puerto Rico and Sin Comillas both drew on DACO figures for their reporting. The weekly price reductions rest solely on the Metro Puerto Rico account while the year-over-year percentage increases and September peak price are reported only by Sin Comillas.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.