May 24, the state concern Belneftekhim raises fuel retail prices. In accordance with an order №191, signed by the Chairman of concern on May 23, the cost of a liter of "Normal 80" gasoline raised to Br3.850, Ai-92 — up to Br3.950, Ai-95 and AI-95-Euro — up to Br4350, diesel fuel — up to Br3.900. The average fuel price will rise by 20%.
The concern justified higher fuel prices by the need to protect the domestic market.
«According to the monitoring of petroleum products at Belneftekhim gas stations, sales of gasoline and diesel fuel have significantly increased at gas stations located in border areas over the May 2011. The upward trend has especially become apparent in the implementation of diesel fuel,» explained in Belneftekhim.
So, May 1-18, 2011, diesel fuel has been sold twice more at the border stations in Brest voblast than over the same period in 2010. In the border areas with Ukraine, according to the group, the implementation of diesel fuel has increased tenfold, in Vitsebsk voblast — three times, on the border with Russia — more than five times.
«The reason for the situation was a significant difference in the prices of motor fuel in the domestic market of the Republic of Belarus and in the neighboring states, as well as recently formed shortage of petroleum products in the domestic market of Russia,» explained the concern.
Increase in retail prices for motor fuel, according to Belneftekhim management, will protect the Belarusian market of petroleum products and reduce price disparity with the neighboring countries.
As Telegraf previously reported, only in April gasoline in Belarus went up by 23.2%. Car drivers have repeatedly held actions against the fuel price hike.
