French butane gas distributors are threatening to suspend deliveries across the country, citing an unsustainable financial situation caused by the sharp rise in diesel fuel prices. The National Federation of Liquid Gas (FNPLG) has issued a warning, stating that the increased cost of operating their delivery fleets is no longer tenable under current regulated pricing structures for bottled gas.
The conflict centers on the "butane reference price," a maximum selling price for 13kg bottles set by the government. Distributors argue this price does not account for the recent surge in diesel, a key operational cost. They claim the margin between their costs and the regulated selling price has vanished or turned negative, making deliveries economically unviable.
Industry representatives have called for an urgent meeting with the Ministry of Ecological Transition to negotiate an adjustment to the pricing formula. They warn that without a resolution, supply disruptions for millions of households, particularly in rural areas not connected to the natural gas network, could begin imminently.
The French energy regulator and government ministries are monitoring the situation. A similar dispute occurred previously, leading to temporary price adjustments. The outcome of the current negotiations will be critical for ensuring continued energy access for vulnerable consumers reliant on bottled gas for heating and cooking.
