Kenyans will likely pay more for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) starting next month after international prices for propane and butane, the two main gases used to produce cooking gas, rose.

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The increase is expected to put further pressure on Kenyan households that rely on LPG for cooking, as the higher international prices are likely to be reflected in the local market.

LPG is produced by blending propane and butane, whose international prices are influenced by supply, demand and developments in major producing regions like Saudi Arabia.

Market data from Saudi Aramco , a key LPG processor and supplier in the Middle East and across Asia, showed butane prices rose by 25.8 per cent from Ksh64,620.50 to Ksh81,326 in August.

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The company's data also revealed tha t propane prices rose 23.2 per cent during the same period , from Ksh51,929.50 per tonne to Ksh63,973.50 per tonne.

The price increases come amid renewed conflict involving the United States and Iran, which has disrupted fuel supply routes in the Middle East, particularly the Stair of Hormuz.

The disruptions have also affected Saudi Arabia's Yanbu port, which serves as an alternative route for fuel shipments when movement through the Strait of Hormuz is affected.

LPG exports from the Yanbu terminal to Asian markets fell from 302,600 tonnes in June to 240,300 tonnes in July, before dropping further to 71,200 tonnes in August.

Preliminary market data further indicate that liquefied petroleum exports are projected to fall to about 51,700 tonnes in September this year.

Currently, refilling a 6-kilogramme gas cylinder costs between Ksh1,100 and Ksh1,600, depending on the brand, while a 13-kilogramme cylinder costs between Ksh2,200 and Ksh3,500.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke