The AMCU found no monopoly in the fuel market — Kirilenko
The Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine has found no evidence of monopolistic practices or collusion in the fuel market. This was announced by the head of the agency while commenting on the sharp rise in prices. According to him, the cost of gasoline and diesel could have been even higher than current levels. At present, according to the AMCU’s findings, the market situation does not indicate any abuse of a monopoly position.
Pavlo Kyrylenko, head of the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine, made this statement during a plenary session of the Verkhovna Rada.
According to him, the AMCU has already collected and analyzed a large amount of data to form an “objective picture of the situation” and identify key market trends.
This made it possible to track the sharp rise in the price of imported fuel following the escalation of the situation in the Middle East.
"Foreign producers and traders reacted very quickly to the crisis in the Middle East and immediately raised their selling prices. Consequently, the arguments of domestic gas stations regarding the rapid increase in restocking costs have been confirmed to some extent," Kirilenko noted.
According to Platts statistics, from February 26 to March 31, diesel prices rose by 86% and import prices by 58%, while prices at gas stations, according to the AMCU head, rose by only 39%.
"At the same time, average prices at gas stations in Ukraine rose more slowly: gasoline by 16% and diesel by 39%," Kirilenko added.
At the same time, he emphasized that the analysis is still ongoing, and it is too early to draw final conclusions.
"Most gas station chains have operated and continue to operate differently, which does not provide grounds for premature conclusions about their engaging in anti-competitive concerted actions. The market is free, not monopolized, and there are about 1,200 operators of various sizes operating in it, so it is inappropriate to speak of abuse of monopoly power at this time," noted the head of the AMCU.
The government has extendedthe fuel cashback program.
The Ministry of Economyannounced when the cashback for January will be paid out.
The Ministry of Economy explained whether the "National Cashback" program will continue in July.
The government explained why it introduced a fuel cashback program instead of lowering fuel prices.
