A dispute has erupted in Ukraine over the sharp rise in fuel prices. It turns out that gas station networks raised the cost of fuel without even selling off their old, cheaper stocks. The reason was the fear of future purchases at inflated rates.

Admission by the Head of AMCU

Details of the situation were revealed by the head of the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (AMCU), Pavlo Kyrylenko, during a meeting of the Temporary Investigative Commission. According to him, after the case was initiated in early March, the agency began monitoring price formation in the fuel market on a daily basis. To understand the business's motives, Kyrylenko personally met with representatives of the largest networks.

The main question that concerned the regulator was why companies revised the price tags on fuel that had been delivered under the old, lower rates.

A financial trap for networks

Representatives of the gas station networks gave an honest explanation for their actions. They admitted that they faced a shortage of working capital. In order to be able to purchase new batches of fuel at the already established high prices, they needed to raise money quickly. Raising prices on the remaining old fuel became a way to solve this financial problem.

In addition, the companies reported difficulties in fulfilling existing supply agreements.

Government intervention

Kyrylenko noted that the situation with supply problems forced the state to intervene in market processes. Thanks to this, it was possible to extend contracts and prevent the appearance of empty gas stations.

At the AMCU, they emphasized that they tried to act on the market as carefully as possible so as not to provoke a shortage similar to the massive crisis of 2022. Then, due to a critical lack of gasoline, the authorities were forced to limit sales to 10 liters per car.

Market prices: who sells cheaper

On July 7, the largest Ukrainian gas station networks had not revised the cost of fuel. At OKKO, WOG, and SOCAR stations, A-95 gasoline was sold at 78.90 UAH per liter, diesel fuel cost from 79.90 UAH per liter, and autogas was 41.90 UAH.

At the same time, the most favorable prices among leading operators were maintained at "Ukrnafta" stations. There, a liter of A-95 gasoline was sold for 73.90 UAH, diesel fuel for 74.90 UAH, and liquefied gas for 38.40 UAH per liter.