Household Gas: Mauritius Has Two Months of Stock
In Mauritius, the increase in household gas prices has raised questions regarding the availability of stock. Authorities and operators assure that they are managing the situation well and that supply remains regular.
With the price of a 12 kg gas cylinder rising from Rs 190 to Rs 250, concerns about stock levels in Mauritius have captured attention. However, authorities are keen to reassure the public about the product's availability in the local market.
Speaking on Radio Plus on April 2, Commerce Minister Michaël Sik Yuen stated that gas storage should reach 62 days shortly. This projection takes into account both ongoing and upcoming shipments. In fact, a delivery was taking place that same day, which increased the available volume to 16,960 metric tons.
Continuing this supply, another ship carrying gas is expected on April 4. Will these factors contribute to maintaining a stock level deemed sufficient to meet national demand?
From the perspective of distribution and regulatory actors, the narrative is consistent. Suttyhudeo Tengur, president of the Association for the Protection of the Environment and Consumers and a board member of the State Trading Corporation (STC), claims that the situation is not alarming. He asserts that Mauritius has good storage, bolstered by the recent acquisition of infrastructure previously owned by Pétredec.
He emphasizes that there is no shortage of household gas. He notes that the country’s supply primarily comes from the Americas, which limits the direct impact of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. He explains that the rise in gas prices is mainly due to logistical factors, including freight costs and transshipment constraints.
Suttyhudeo Tengur also addresses consumer behavior. He states that there has been no observed panic buying. Purchasing habits remain largely unchanged, with households continuing to buy cylinders according to their usual needs. However, he points out a misuse of household gas by some motorists, labeling this practice as fraudulent.
At gas stations, the situation is similar. Bhimraj Sunnassee, a station owner, confirms that deliveries are proceeding normally. Distributors are ensuring uninterrupted supply, and no complaints regarding gas shortages have been reported.
Regarding the impact of price increases, he notes a degree of acceptance from consumers. Some have anticipated the rise by filling empty cylinders, but this has not created market imbalance. Another operator shares this view, suggesting that continuous product availability is preferable to a situation of shortage that could encourage a parallel market.
Ibrahim Malleck: "There Needs to Be Quick Awareness"
The economic situation is tightening, and worries are growing. Amid a global energy crisis, soaring fuel prices, and increasing pressure on public finances, Mauritius faces a situation deemed concerning by several observers. In a context marked by war in the Middle East and its repercussions on the oil market, some are no longer hesitant to speak of a critical period reminiscent of the post-COVID scenario.
Parvez Dookhy: "A Significant Impact on the Country, Especially on the Tourism Sector"
In this context, Parvez Dookhy provides a blunt assessment. "We are entering a phase of red and black. It is clear that the current government lacks the necessary skills to address the situation, which has become even more complicated since the war in the Middle East," he states.
The observer also points out what he sees as structural flaws in economic management. "There isn’t an economist in this government capable of handling the responsibilities of the Minister of Economy. I often say this, but there is no Ministry of Economy within the government. There are only finances, which are always handled by the Prime Minister. Consequently, the economy is a sector that is completely abandoned, and we are heavily paying for it," he argues.
In an increasingly unstable international context, he believes the repercussions could extend to several key sectors. "The war has expanded in the Middle East, affecting multiple countries and significantly impacting air and maritime traffic. There will undoubtedly be an impact on Mauritian tourism," he warns.
For his part, economist Ibrahim Malleck describes the situation as "abnormal" and calls for rapid awareness. He argues that the war directly impacts Mauritius and necessitates a change in behavior. "In the initial weeks of the war, we saw India and Asia making decisions to survive these challenging times. Rationing of gasoline, working from home, and online classes were already decided long before things escalated. Some countries had to inject a portion of their gold investments into their economies to allow their currencies to absorb the effects of these tensions."
He laments a lack of local foresight. "In similar moments, one must anticipate to have systems ready to absorb the effects." He is frank about the outlook: "The reality is clear: prices will rise, there’s no escaping that. Inflation will shake us up."
For the economist, resilience is now more crucial than ever. "The coming situation will exert pressure on our currencies; we need to make efforts. We import around 70% of what we consume. Decisions must be made, certainly difficult ones, but if we want to get through this, we must act quickly and not wait until it’s too late."
