Since mid-July, there has been a shortage of butane gas in Ivory Coast and prices have increased in certain cities. According to a source, this is the result of the rainy season.
Indeed, Ivory Coast is experiencing a shortage of butane gas. Prices are rising and city residents are facing increasing difficulties in refilling their gas bottles, which are essential for their daily lives. According to our information, there is a shortage and price increase of butane gas bottles due to the heavy rainy season.
“The butane gas we sell comes from Europe by ship, sometimes from Nigeria as well. When the ship arrives, it docks at PETROCI. Every year, when it rains heavily, as is the case this year, the tide rises. This has the effect of rocking the boats. And since it’s butane gas inside, technicians recommend waiting for the tide to go down, in order to pump the gas and put it into the familiar containers.
Thus, during this waiting period, you agree with me that the safety stocks are depleted, and that’s what we witnessed this year. So, there was a period of about two weeks during which gas was missing from the market,” explained our source.
Continuing, he states, “If there’s a shortage of gas, it’s not due to the resellers, it’s simply because the high tide caused the problem. However, there are dishonest people in all walks of life, which allowed some resellers to take advantage of the situation.”
It should be noted that a brigade to control the prices of butane gas was set up in the Abidjan district on Monday, August 21, 2023.
