Supermarket23, an online grocery platform facilitating purchases from abroad for delivery in Cuba, has issued an announcement on its main website banner, reassuring customers that efforts are underway to resume the sale of liquefied gas following a surge in demand.
The primary message states: "Due to high demand, we are reorganizing logistics to reinstate the gas sale service as soon as possible."
The secondary note assures: "There is ample availability. We are making necessary adjustments to ensure quality and stability in deliveries."
This announcement follows a weekend during which Supermarket23 ran out of liquefied gas canisters only hours after they were made available last Thursday, priced at $29 for a 10 kg cylinder.
The depletion of the stock triggered a heated debate across Cuban social media, with speculations ranging from political orders by the regime to remove the product to hoarding by resellers.
"Did they sell them all or were they ordered to remove them?" pondered a Facebook user. Another remarked: "Look on social media, resellers have them all. Good luck with that."
In the informal market, these same canisters were offered for as much as 45,000 Cuban pesos, significantly higher than the roughly 15,660 pesos, which corresponds to the $29 price at the informal exchange rate.
Katapulk, another similar platform, also sold the product for $29, with the stipulation that buyers must provide an empty cylinder in good condition.
The gas sold by these platforms is imported from the United States by private Cuban micro-enterprises under U.S. government licenses, highlighting the rapid dollarization of essential services in Cuba.
This situation unfolds amid a chronic crisis in the state's supply of liquefied gas: of the 1.7 million liquefied gas customers in Cuba, more than 50% were unable to purchase during the April 2026 distribution.
In January this year, the tanker Emilia returned empty from Jamaica due to the Cuban government's inability to pay, leaving over 109,000 households in Matanzas without regular supply since October 2024.
In July 2025, Cuba halted the sale of liquefied gas nationwide pending the arrival of the next shipment, and previously, a gas ship remained anchored for nearly four months, unable to unload due to non-payment.
The $29 price per canister is unaffordable for most Cuban workers and retirees who earn in the national currency, underscoring the widening gap between those receiving remittances from abroad and the rest of the population.
With its latest message, Supermarket23 aims to alleviate customer concerns and assures that the service will resume "as soon as possible," though no specific date for the resumption of sales has been provided.
Key Questions About Liquefied Gas Sales in Cuba
Why is there a high demand for liquefied gas in Cuba?
The high demand is driven by the chronic crisis in the state's supply of liquefied gas, leaving many without access to this essential resource.
What challenges do Cubans face in purchasing gas canisters?
The primary challenge is the high cost of $29 per canister, which is unaffordable for most Cubans, and the scarcity due to high demand and limited supply.
How does the informal market affect gas supply?
The informal market exacerbates the supply issue by selling gas canisters at inflated prices, making it even harder for average Cubans to afford them.