Gas Stations Are Running Dry Ahead of Tomorrow's Fuel Price Change — Here's What's Happening

If you've pulled into a gas station in the last few days and been told "no hay Extra," you're not imagining things.

With a scheduled fuel price adjustment taking effect May 12, drivers across Guayaquil and Quito are reporting that stations are either out of Extra gasoline or limiting sales. The fuel regulatory agency ARCH confirmed it has "activated immediate protocols to safeguard normal availability," but the situation on the ground tells a different story.

The Numbers

According to Ivo Rosero, president of the national fuel distributors' chamber (Camddepe), dispatches from Quito's Terminal El Beaterio have dropped from a normal 150,000 gallons per day to just 100,000 — a 33% reduction. Individual stations that normally receive 10,000 gallons of Extra are getting only 6,000.

The impact is measurable: fuel sales nationwide have declined 30%, translating to roughly USD 5 million in daily losses against a normal baseline of approximately USD 19 million per day.

Why This Keeps Happening

This isn't the first time. Similar supply disruptions occurred in 2024 and 2025 ahead of price adjustments. The pattern is familiar: fuel changes are announced, stations anticipate buying at lower prices and selling at higher ones, and supply tightens.

Compounding the problem, Ecuador now imports roughly 90% of its fuel derivatives — up from historical rates of 73% for diesel and 77% for gasoline. The country's Esmeraldas refinery suffered a fire on March 1 and didn't resume operations until March 16, further straining the supply chain.

What This Means for Expats

Today: Fill your tank before the end of the day if possible. Extra gasoline availability is unpredictable, especially in Guayaquil and Quito. If your regular station is out, try stations in less congested areas.

Tomorrow (May 12): New fuel prices take effect. Expect some continued supply disruption as stations adjust to the new pricing structure.

Longer term: Ecuador's growing import dependency for fuel (90%) makes the country increasingly vulnerable to global oil price swings and refinery disruptions. Budget for fuel costs to trend upward over time.

If you're driving between cities: Check fuel levels before leaving. Running out of gas on an intercity highway is a different problem than in the city.

Source: Primicias