Gas station chains have 10 days to set reasonable prices
The Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine has ordered the largest gas station chains to bring prices down to a reasonable level within 10 days.
The agency emphasized that the market must respond not only to rising oil prices but also to falling ones.
This was reported with reference to the AMCU press service.
"Taking into account public interest in rising prices for petroleum products, in addition to investigating the case, the AMCU has been monitoring and continues to monitor the situation in the gasoline, diesel fuel, and liquefied gas markets to ensure economic competition," the AMCU noted.
The committee also noted that the rise in petroleum product prices occurred against the backdrop of a sharp increase in global oil prices, petroleum product quotations in EU markets, problems with ensuring sufficient volumes of diesel fuel imports, rising exchange rates, and logistics costs.
"In turn, competition should encourage businesses to take into account objective factors in their pricing—not only regarding rising purchase prices but also regarding conditions for their reduction," the committee added.
It is reported that the AMCU recommended that the largest gas station network operators ensure the formation and adjustment of retail prices for gasoline, diesel fuel, and liquefied gas based on objective economic factors.
"The recommendations are binding on business entities and must be addressed within 10 days. This deadline was set to ensure that gas station network operators provide a detailed response regarding the measures taken in the market," the committee emphasized.
Small gas stations in Ukraineare under threat due to the crisis in the oil market.
Prices for A-95 gasoline and diesel have fallen in Ukraine.
Ukrainian gas station chains partially lowered fuel prices as of April 18.
Prior to this, a slight decrease in prices for gasoline and diesel fuel was recorded in Ukraine on April 16.
Diesel prices in Kyiv are breaking records, reaching 93 hryvnias
Global fuel prices are rising again amid instability in the Middle East
