Ukrainian Antimonopoly Committee Demands Fuel Price Justification Within 72 Hours.

Fuel Market Developments in Ukraine

According to TSN.ua: The Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (AMCU) has issued a directive requiring all fuel market operators to submit formal explanations for recent price increases within three days. This order, announced by AMCU Chairman Pavlo Kyrylenko, applies to all participants in the market for light petroleum products, including liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The regulator is seeking official data to clarify the reasons behind the price surge.

Current Fuel Prices

As of March 5, 2023, prices for A-95 gasoline range from 67.90 to 74.89 UAH per liter, while A-100 gasoline sells for between 77.90 and 81.29 UAH per liter. The cost of diesel fuel at filling stations also varies, currently standing between 67.90 and 76.69 UAH per liter. This sharp rise in fuel costs was highlighted by market expert Serhiy Kuyun.

In response to the situation, MP and head of the parliamentary finance committee, Danylo Hetmantsev, has publicly urged fuel companies to refrain from exploiting public anxiety and to avoid raising prices without objective justification. This regulatory scrutiny comes amid a period of significant economic pressure due to the ongoing war. The AMCU's intervention aims to provide transparency and could help stabilize the market by deterring speculative pricing practices, which would benefit consumers and the broader national economy.