Diesel has become more expensive in our country by 3 cents in just one day, and since March 1, its price has increased by 0.45 euro cents per liter. This is shown by data from the National Revenue Agency. According to the NRA, as of April 4, the average price per liter of diesel is 1.74. Gasoline retains its price of 1.46 per liter. Diesel fuel has increased in price by 6 cents only since the beginning of April. How does this affect consumption?
The Nova TV team in Plovdiv checked several gas stations this morning. The price for the most popular A-95 is between 1.42 and 1.54 euros per liter. Diesel at the pumps ranges from 1.58 to 1.86 euros per liter, and propane - butane is about 0.74 to 0.81 euro cents per liter.
“Diesel fuel has increased in price by over 40 euro cents since the beginning of the conflict. There is no serious decrease in demand, but the continued increase will also lead to this. Since the beginning of the conflict, attempts to stock up by agricultural producers and transport companies have been noticed. They can stock up for no more than a month, since they do not have containers. The margin is extremely narrow, on the order of 2 to 5 euro cents, which is extremely insufficient for the maintenance of a retail outlet”, said on the air of “Hello, Bulgaria” Georgi Panicharski, representative of the Association of Fuel Traders, Producers, Importers and Transporters.
He predicts a price increase of between 2 and 10 euro cents per week if the conflict is not resolved soon. According to him, there are no problems with fuel quantities.
Pressed by the galloping fuel prices, transport companies are discussing suspending transport and putting employees on unpaid leave as early as this week.
„A large part of the transport companies have already reduced the volume of their activities. In this regard, about 20-25% of the cars already parked in the companies are enough to avoid generating additional losses," explained Iliya Kosturski, member of the Board of the Association of International Carriers.
As a basic and urgent measure, the industry points out the need to introduce the so-called “transport tax credit“, as in other European Union countries. The proposal includes a platform through which part of the fuel costs can be used to cover tax and insurance obligations.
Bus carriers are also suffering losses. The two companies that service the line from Plovdiv to Sofia after the Easter holidays will decide whether to reduce the rates in both directions in order to save fuel.