The butane cylinder crisis in Egypt has escalated in several provinces, with residents complaining about the unavailability of cylinders at warehouses and hoarding by black marketeers who have inflated prices. In Qalyubia, residents of Tanen village, part of Qalyub center, complained about the lack of gas cylinders in their village, despite having two distribution warehouses. They accused warehouse owners of selling cylinders to black marketeers, forcing them to buy from the black market at 350 pounds.
A source at Butagasko, the state-owned company responsible for distributing butane cylinders, denied the existence of a crisis, attributing the shortage to rumors of price hikes. The company has reportedly dispatched trucks loaded with cylinders to areas with reported shortages. Meanwhile, in Asyut, Ahmed Ali from Al-Wasati village in Al-Fath center said he had been searching for a cylinder for a week without success.
In Minya, Mohamed Fahim, a licensed warehouse owner, reported a surge in demand for butane cylinders, exceeding monthly consumption, due to rumors of price increases. This has led some black marketeers to raise prices to 350 pounds. In Al-Gharbiya, residents complained about being left at the mercy of black marketeers who have increased prices despite repeated complaints to the supply ministry.
In Port Said, trade inspectors from the supply ministry intercepted a trailer loaded with butane cylinders, which were being sold illegally for profit. The ministry's efforts aim to regulate the distribution of cylinders and prevent price manipulation. Meanwhile, officials from the supply ministry and Butagasko supervised cylinder distribution at warehouses in Cairo to ensure smooth delivery to citizens.
Mohamed Abdel Moneim, deputy head of the General Petroleum Products Chamber, reported that the current period is witnessing a stable supply of butane cylinders to warehouses. He attributed congestion at some warehouses to citizens' rush to replace their reserve cylinders, driven by anxiety over potential shortages. Abdel Moneim assured that cylinder distribution is proceeding normally, with ongoing monitoring to prevent irregularities.
Ahmed Abu Al-Gheit, assistant minister for supply and internal trade, emphasized that butane cylinders are readily available at all filling plants and are being distributed to contractors across provinces. He stated that available quantities are sufficient to meet citizens' needs, with no shortages or deficits in the market.
The crisis has prompted authorities to take measures to address the shortage and prevent further price hikes. Key stakeholders, including supply ministry officials and industry experts, are working together to resolve the issue and ensure a stable supply of butane cylinders to meet domestic demand.
Key points
- Egypt's butane cylinder crisis deepens in provinces due to hoarding and rumors of price hikes.
- Authorities report stable supplies, but citizens face difficulties accessing cylinders.
- Black marketeers take advantage of shortages, selling cylinders at inflated prices.
