The State Trading Organization (STO) has assured the public that recent difficulties in obtaining cooking gas are temporary and will be resolved in the coming days, dismissing claims of an impending gas shortage in the Maldives.
Responding to growing public concern, STO said the disruptions are linked to supply and distribution challenges affecting its subsidiary, Maldive Gas, which is responsible for importing and distributing cooking gas across the country.
According to STO, similar pressures are currently being experienced in both regional and international markets, contributing to short-term supply constraints. As a temporary measure, Maldive Gas has been supplying 7-kilogram gas cylinders at discounted prices, in place of the standard 10-kilogram cylinders, to ensure continued availability for households.
An STO official said the company is working closely with the two gas importers operating in the Maldives to manage distribution and maintain market stability. The official noted that regulating supply during periods of disruption is a commonly used approach to ensure fair access for consumers nationwide.
STO said the situation is expected to stabilise within the coming week, after which the regular sale of 10-kilogram gas cylinders will resume.
With Ramadan approaching—a period when household consumption of cooking gas typically rises—STO said advance preparations are already underway, as in previous years, to ensure uninterrupted supply and smoother distribution throughout the holy month.