Sulaymaniyah LPG prices rise past government-mandated price caps

SULAYMANIYAH – The price of liquified petroleum gas cylinders in some areas of Sulaymaniyah has surged to between 9,000 and 10,000 Iraqi dinars (approximately $6 to $6.50), despite official price caps set between 8,000 and 8,500 dinars ($5.25 to $5.60), according to reports from 964media.

In an statement issued Saturday, the Joint Committee of the Sulaymaniyah District Governorate stressed that “no individual or business is allowed to increase the price of gas for citizens,” emphasizing the enforcement of government price caps.

Most households in the Kurdistan Region rely on 11kg gas cylinders for cooking and heating water, which are filled at specialized factories sourcing liquid gas from local fields. Retailers are required to sell the cylinders to the public at the government-regulated price cap.

However, fluctuations in production or spikes in demand—particularly during cold weather—often lead to price increases, even though such practices violate local pricing regulations. The surge in demand sometimes exceeds the enforcement capabilities of local authorities.

The Joint Committee reassured the public that Sulaymaniyah should not face any shortages or price hikes this year. “All necessary preparations have been made, and a special committee will monitor gas distribution to ensure prices remain stable and within the standard rate,” the statement said.

However, residents report that some distributors are not adhering to the official price caps. Delpak Mohammed, a local resident, told 964media, “We bought gas for 9,000 dinars ($6), while previously, we were paying between 7,500 and 8,500 dinars ($4.90 to $5.60).”

Goran Qadir, head of the Joint Committee, said in the statement, “We have formed a special committee to monitor the distribution of liquid gas to factories and ensure it reaches citizens at the correct price. We have coordinated with the committee and created a plan to prevent any shortages or price manipulation during the winter season when demand typically increases.”

Qadir added that the committee conducts daily inspections from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., overseeing gas facilities to monitor pricing and ensure proper distribution to citizens. “We urge citizens to report any cases where they are charged more than the regulated price cap,” he said.

In previous years, with the exception of last year, significant fluctuations in gas prices and availability forced residents to endure long queues to secure a single gas cylinder.