Liquigas says despite recent ‘significant increase’ in gas cylinder sales, stock levels ‘not impacted’

Liquigas Malta Limited, the main supplier of household LPG gas cylinders, has confirmed to BusinessNow.mt that despite a recent significant increase in sales, “this demand is not impacting the supply stock levels” that the company “has secured for the upcoming months”.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Robert Abela revealed that LPG importers had warned of issues in sourcing LPG as a result of Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Hours later, on Tuesday evening, Liquigas Malta issued a statement saying it had informed Government that it had secured “supplies of LPG required to meet demand in Malta for the foreseeable future”.

“This was achieved thanks to the support SHV Energy, a Dutch company shareholder of Liquigas Malta, and which is a global leader in the distribution of LPG across more than 25 countries worldwide,” the company said in an official statement earlier this week.

Despite the assurances, the Times of Malta on Thursday reported that PM Abela’s remarks sparked panic buying, saying the sale of gas cylinders almost doubled between Tuesday and Thursday, citing Liquigas sources.

It also reported that the police had to be called to PAMA supermarket in Mosta, where the gas cylinder supplier has a popular point of sale, to organise the traffic chaos caused by the increased demand.

Asked to confirm reports of panic buying, and whether it would be limiting sales of cylinders per person or household to ensure stocks last, a Liquigas Malta spokesperson told BusinessNow.mt:

“Liquigas Malta has managed to secure LPG supplies and is therefore not facing any current difficulties in terms of sourcing. While the company acknowledges that recently there has been a significant increase in gas cylinders sales, this demand is not impacting the supply stock levels that Liquigas Malta has secured for the upcoming months.”

LPG is widely used in Malta to heat stove-tops and ovens, fuel heaters in the country’s notoriously damp homes, and is also used in some industrial settings.

Europe has seen a shortage of both LPG and Liquified Natural Gas (LNG), which is burnt to produce electricity), as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the resulting sanctions against Russia.