The economic crisis in Egypt has started to take its toll on diesel fuel, an imported oil product, whose price has a big influence on prices of different commodities, transportation and agricultural produce. The long queues of lorries and buses outside petrol stations that have emerged in different governorates are starting to appear in the capital too. It seems that a crisis is imminent, because imports of this vital product have been cut. In addition to operating different means of transport, diesel fuel is also used to operate machinery for cultivation and for lifting water from wells. It is also used in bakeries and brick plants. In fact, because of the big demand for building materials, these plants have also started using butane gas cylinders, causing another crisis, as these subsidised cylinders are also used for cooking purposes by millions of Egyptians, who don't yet have piped natural gas in their homes. Egypt is accustomed to witnessing fuel shortages in winter, but this year summer is rapidly approaching and it looks like the shortages are going to continue, because of the fall in foreign currency and imports. Minister of Social Justice Gouda Abdel-Khaleq has recently said that there is another crisis involving butane gas cylinders, because their price has hit LE30 in some governorates, as the lack of security has encouraged some people to monopolise their distribution to brick factories and poultry farms, causing serious shortages. This leftist official has created committees of inspectors from his Ministry, security men and armed soldiers to control the market, ensuring that the butane cylinders are only sold to householders. Meanwhile, diesel fuel shortages will push prices up yet again, eating up the 15 per cent pay rise offered to civil servants last month.
