Drivers will be more careful: fuel prices have reached their maximum again

The Ukrainian liquefied gas market is once again experiencing price increases, affecting motorists’ significant expenses. Over the past week, the average retail price of autogas has increased by 2.01 hryvnias per liter, reaching 37.14 hryvnias. This indicates a return to the indicators observed at the start of last year, forcing drivers to save.

This price increase is due to several factors affecting the gas market. Experts from the A-95 consulting group explain the situation by limited supply. Delays in supply on the wholesale market led to a shortage, which, in turn, increased auction prices. Over the week, the wholesale cost of LPG increased by almost 4.9 thousand hryvnias per ton, which automatically affected retail prices.

Another factor is the decrease in temperature, since during the cold season, gas density increases, which affects the final price. According to experts, the temperature factor added about 0.8 hryvnia to the cost of a liter.

In addition, logistical problems in the south of the country also left their mark. Previously, Odesa and Mykolaiv regions had access to a cheap resource. Still, due to a lack of new supplies, the most significant price increase is observed here – over 2.3 hryvnia per liter.

The situation at gas stations varies by network. Large operators such as OKKO and WOG have increased prices by about 2 hryvnia, bringing them to almost 39 hryvnia per liter. The state-owned company Ukrnafta has also revised prices upwards by 2.5–3 hryvnia. At the same time, the difference between premium and budget gas stations has reached its maximum level in the last two years, over 4 hryvnia per liter.

However, market participants hope for some improvement in the situation by the end of December, driven by imports from Poland and Lithuania and a seasonal decline in demand. But according to traders, a return to previous lower prices is unlikely.