Decree 444 Adjusts Ecuador Fuel Bands With Five-Cent July Drop
Ecuador's fuel-price formula has been adjusted after five consecutive monthly increases.
The government explained the reform on July 10, 2026, one day after President Daniel Noboa modified the fuel-band calculation under Decree 444.
Immediate Price Effect
The change reduces gasoline and diesel prices by USD 0.05 from July 12, 2026.
The new formula allows:
| Fuel | Current | From July 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Extra / Ecopaís | USD 3.31 per gallon | USD 3.26 per gallon |
| Diesel Premium | USD 3.25 per gallon | USD 3.20 per gallon |
Policy Context
The measure follows five months of consecutive increases in these fuel prices. In January 2026, Extra and Ecopaís were USD 2.67 per gallon. For the June 12 to July 11 period, they reached USD 3.31 per gallon, an accumulated increase of USD 0.64.
The existing band formula limits monthly increases to 5% and monthly decreases to 10%, even when international market movements are larger.
What to watch
The business issue is whether Decree 444 becomes a durable stabilizer or a political adjustment inside an election-year fuel-price cycle. Transport costs, retail margins and fiscal subsidy exposure remain the main indicators.
Source
Primicias — “Gobierno de Ecuador se pronuncia sobre cambio de precios del diésel y las gasolinas Extra y Ecopaís, que regirán desde el 12 de julio”
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