Ecuador’s Extra Gasoline Demand Fell 8% In The First Half Of 2026

Ecuador's gasoline consumption fell in the first half of 2026, with the largest drop in Extra gasoline. Average overall gasoline use was 76,794 barrels per day from January through June, compared with 78,964 barrels per day in the same period of 2025, a 3% decline.

Extra led the decline

Extra consumption fell from 37,202 barrels per day to 34,131 barrels per day, an 8% drop. Extra and Ecopaís, both 85-octane fuels, accounted for 93% of market demand in the period.

Ecopaís consumption fell 3%. Súper gasoline consumption rose 53.4%, but the report says it represents only 7% of the total market, so it did not change the broader result.

Price context

The price of Extra and Ecopaís rose during five consecutive months in the first half. The source reports that a gallon went from USD 2.67 to USD 3.31.

Since June 2024, those fuels have been under a price-band system that allows a monthly rise of up to 5% and a monthly drop of up to 10%.

What this means for expats

The story is a useful reminder that Ecuador's pump prices for Extra and Ecopaís are no longer fixed in the old subsidy model. The data does not predict your next fill-up, but it shows how sustained price movement has coincided with lower demand and changing driving habits.