The Shafaf LPG cylinder, supplied by Qatar Fuel (Woqod) for domestic use, is in short supply this Ramadan and several people are complaining about it, reported Qatar Tribune.

It is all the more problematic as the shortage has hit during the Holy month of Ramadan. Some consumers complain that Shafaf cylinders run out of stock at retail outlets within an hour of arrival.

“I’ve been trying to get a Shafaf refill for the last two days with little success. Whenever I call the supermarket authorised to sell Shafaf cylinders in my area, the shop owner says the refills have been out of stock since morning,” a resident of Najma area told Qatar Tribune.

Enquiries reveal that Shafaf cylinders had run out of stock at most of the authorised outlets within the first few hours of opening on Saturday.

“There’s heavy rush of buyers for Shafaf LPG cylinders since the beginning of the Holy Month of Ramadan. We get delivery of 100 Shafaf cylinders every day. But stocks run out within an hour of delivery,” said the manager of Al Faz Supermarket in Najma area.

One of the options which people can try out is to visit their nearest Sidra stores at Woqod petrol stations. However, owing to the heavy rush, it is very much doubtful whether they would be having it in stock either.

Shafaf cylinders, which are lighter and much safer than traditional metal ones, have proved to be very popular, with it being reported that at least 70% of Qatari households used them regularly.

Woqod had also announced incentives for people to switch from traditional to Shafaf cylinders, which also proved quite popular. The company had also extended the scheme several times due to popular demand.