In response to a collapse in demand from industrial and commercial customers, Colombia's LPG sales dropped sharply in April. LPG sales fell by 5.8 percent year on year to 47,942 tons in April, and by 10.9 percent over the monthly average 53,810 tons sold in Q1, according to LPG chamber Gasnova. The group estimates May demand at 48,661 tons. Monthly sales in 2019 averaged 52,265 tons.
LPG consumption in the residential sector during the pandemic was not affected, as bottled LPG sales fell by just 2 percent annually. The difference was in bulk demand for the industrial and commercial sector, which fell 15.6 percent.
Colombia's government has renewed lockdown restrictions five times since they were first imposed on 24 March. The rules have been gradually eased, allowing more than 45 industrial and commercial sectors to resume activities with strict protocols.
In Colombia, about a quarter of the population of 50 million uses propane canisters for cooking. Colombia is normally a net LPG importer, but the downturn has left state-controlled Ecopetrol with a surplus to supply the market.
