In December 2024, an embargo on Russian liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) came into effect across the European Union. The ban targets key types of LPG: propane (mainly used for heating), autogas blends used to power vehicles, and butane. However, there is a notable exception — butane fractions with a purity level above 95% are not subject to the sanctions and can still be imported into EU markets.
According to official data from the first two months of 2025, LPG imports into Poland have become more diversified than ever before. One-third of the supply came from Sweden, 17% from Russia, 14% from Norway, and 13% from the United States. Additional shipments arrived from the Netherlands, the UK, Germany, Kazakhstan, and even Equatorial Guinea.
“Today we can confidently say that Polish entrepreneurs have successfully prepared for the withdrawal from the Russian market,” said Bartosz Kwiatkowski, General Director of the Polish Liquid Gas Organization (POGP), in an interview with eNewsroom.pl. “This is evidenced by the fact that there have been no reports of LPG shortages in 2025 and that prices remain attractive — around PLN 3 per liter, or approximately 52% of the average price of gasoline.”
Why Is Russian LPG Still Present?
This raises an important question: if sanctions are in place, why is Russian LPG still present in Polish imports?
The answer lies in the loophole around high-purity butane. Traditionally used in industrial processes rather than as an energy carrier, these highly refined fractions were excluded from the embargo. Since December, imports of pure butane into Poland have been increasing. This butane is now being blended with propane from other non-Russian sources to create LPG that meets regulatory standards. Once mixed and certified with “European paperwork,” this fuel is sold primarily at gas stations across the country.
According to customs data, the volume of LPG imported from Russia in March 2025 equaled about one-third of the average monthly Russian gas imports from previous years.
Economic Incentives and Risks of Reversion
Russian LPG remains approximately 20% cheaper than imports from other sources, creating strong financial incentives to continue using it — even if indirectly. While legal under current regulations, this workaround could undermine the long-term effort to diversify LPG supply sources and reduce energy dependence on Russia.
“Massive exploitation of this legal loophole may potentially reverse Poland’s progress in diversifying LPG supplies and — contrary to political intentions — redirect the market back toward the East,” warned Kwiatkowski.
Source: Manager Plus – How Russian Gas Reaches the Polish Market Despite the Embargo
