Oil prices increased following 40% rise in prices on international stock markets, ANRE

The rise in the prices of gasoline, diesel fuel and liquefied petroleum gas in the first half of this year was caused by the over 40% increase in oil prices on the international stock markets and in the Platt`s prices on the regional markets, Info-Prim Neo reports, quoting a communiqué from the National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE). During January 1 - June 30, the average price of oil on the international markets had increased by 49.1% compared with the corresponding period last year, while the Platt`s prices on the regional markets - by 44.4%. The Platt`s prices have a direct influence on the import prices of oil products in Moldova as the selling prices at filling stations are formed on the basis of the Platt`s. As a result of these increases, the average import prices of gasoline and diesel fuel reached $754.7 and, respectively, $699.5 per tonne. The average import price of liquefied petroleum gas grew by 65.7% to $608 per tonne. Consequently, the selling prices of oil products on the home market increased significantly. The average selling price of gasoline rose by 45.4% compared with the first half of 2009, to 13.04 lei a liter, of diesel fuel – by 22.2% to 11.47 lei a liter, while of liquefied petroleum gas – by 48.3% to 6.6 lei a liter. According to the ANRE, the rise in the selling prices of oil products was also determined by internal factors, including the 50% increase in excise duties and the depreciation of the national currency by 15.7%. As many as 113 companies holding 161 licenses imported and sold oil products in Moldova in the first half of this year. 550 filling stations retailed gasoline and diesel fuel, while 320 stations sold liquefied petroleum gas.