On Saturday, October 10, under the leadership of Mr. Lesly Theogène, the Departmental Director of Commerce and Industry for the Northeast, steps were taken to enable propane gas stations to reopen and allow the population to obtain supplies normally.

It should be noted that propane gas stations in Haiti’s Northeast had been closed due to a widespread shortage and a critical lack of the product throughout the department. This stock-out situation was officially confirmed by the Northeast Departmental Directorate of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MCI-DDNE) during September and October 2026. Several factors explain the closure of these stations:

Product unavailability : Stations ran dry, with no propane gas stock available to supply the population, forcing them to suspend operations.

Structural supply difficulties : The transport of petroleum and gas products in Haiti faces logistical bottlenecks, insecurity on national roads, and the influence of armed groups over major storage terminals, all of which complicate deliveries to the provinces.

Imbalance between costs and profit margins : Entrepreneurs and operators in the sector are facing skyrocketing operating costs (transport, security, insurance), while the State sets selling prices; this severely reduces station profitability and drives some to close. To address this crisis, Lesly Théogène, the Departmental Director, deployed inspection teams to the field to assess the situation and initiate consultations aimed at reconciling the interests of consumers and business owners, thereby paving the way for a sustainable reopening.

However, widespread restocking is not yet fully complete, though the process is currently being organized. The situation on the ground as of early October 2026 can be summarized as follows :

Gradual yet targeted return : Certain local initiatives, particularly at specific stations (such as those at CODEVI), have stocks available and are attempting to distribute the product. However, this has sparked heated controversy and commercial tensions with other players in the sector.

Price negotiations : Stations are not reopening simultaneously, as Ministry of Commerce inspectors are conducting rigorous checks to regulate selling prices. The State is attempting to enforce regulated rates to protect the public, while station owners are hesitant to sell until an agreement regarding their profit margins is finalized.

Enhanced monitoring : Teams from the Ministry’s departmental directorate remain deployed, particularly in Ouanaminthe, to monitor the market, ensure that hoarded or speculative stocks are not sold on the black market, and safeguard consumer rights before authorizing a full reopening.

Supply is therefore resuming at a trickle and under close supervision, pending a resolution to the economic standoff between the State and the distributors.

IH/ SL/ S/ iciHaiti