Something happened to the gas. The first time this has happened in history.

• The embargo on Russian LPG entered into force in December 2024.
• Initially, it led to a record diversification of supply sources for the Polish market.
• However, mass sanctions evasion could threaten this trend and lead to renewed dependence on Russian raw materials.

In December , an EU ban on the import of Russian LPG came into effect. LPG is primarily used as a fuel for cars and as a source of home heating.

The Polish LPG Organization (POGP) points out that LPG is not a homogeneous commodity – the sanctions cover propane (used primarily for heating), blends used as autogas to power cars, and butane – but with the exception of fractions with purity above 95 percent, which can still enter European markets.

Official data for the first two months of 2025 show that LPG supplies to the Polish market were more diversified than ever before.

• 1/3 of imports come from Sweden,
• 17 percent from Russia,
• 14% from Norway,
• 13% from the USA.

LPG also comes to Poland from such directions as the Netherlands, Great Britain, Germany, Kazakhstan and even distant Equatorial Guinea.

Bartosz Kwiatkowski, director general of the Polish LPG Organization, told eNewsroom.pl that Polish entrepreneurs have prepared for a retreat from the Russian market.

This is evidenced by the lack of any reports regarding the availability of LPG in 2025 and the attractive price of LPG – currently around PLN 3/l, which is on average 52% of the price of motor gasoline, he emphasized.

One might wonder why Russian LPG continues to appear in import data, despite sanctions in place since the beginning of the year. Bartosz Kwiatkowski explained that since December, imports of pure butane, traditionally used in industry rather than as fuel, have been increasing—hence, they were exempt from the embargo. Currently, however, butane from Russia is shipped to Poland, where it is blended with propane from other sources. The resulting fuel, now with European documentation, is primarily used to supply gas stations.

He added that, according to customs data, imports in March reached one-third of the average monthly level of Russian gas imports in previous years. " The price of the Russian product is approximately 20 percent lower than LPG from other sources , so there are strong economic incentives to take advantage of the loophole in the Russian embargo. Massive use could potentially reverse the process of diversification of LPG supplies to the Polish market and—contrary to politicians' efforts—return the Polish market to the East," warns Kwiatkowski.