AMCU demands gas stations not to inflate fuel prices, but to focus on market situation

The Antimonopoly Committee recommended that gas stations ensure the formation of fuel prices based on objective economic factors, the AMCU reported, writes UNN.

Background

On February 28, 2026, fuel prices in Ukraine began to rise sharply. On March 9, the AMCU initiated proceedings into signs of anti-competitive concerted actions by economic entities in the retail markets of light petroleum products, in which, as stated, "evidence is currently being collected and analyzed."

Given "the broad public interest in the issue of rising oil product prices," in addition to investigating the case, the AMCU, as stated, "monitored and continues to monitor" the situation in the gasoline, diesel fuel, and liquefied gas markets "on a daily basis to ensure economic competition and take prompt measures in them."

The AMCU noted that the increase in oil product prices occurred against the backdrop of a sharp rise in world oil prices, oil product quotations in EU markets, problems with ensuring sufficient volumes of diesel fuel imports, a rise in exchange rates, and logistics costs.

What the AMCU says about prices

"The market situation remained volatile, as during March - the first half of April 2026, prices in world oil and oil product markets both rose and fell. In turn, the retail oil product markets in Ukraine have a competitive structure. Competition should encourage economic entities to take into account objective factors in their pricing, not only regarding rising purchase prices, but also regarding the conditions for their reduction," the AMCU stated.

Also, these markets, as noted by the AMCU, have very high social significance and play a price-forming role for the vast majority of markets throughout the country's economy.

In connection with the above, in order to develop competition and prevent violations of legislation on the protection of economic competition, on April 23, 2026, the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine recommended that the largest operators of gas station networks ensure the formation and change of retail prices for gasoline, diesel fuel, and liquefied gas based on objective economic factors, including market fluctuations in their purchase cost, under the terms of compliance with legislation on the protection of economic competition.

The recommendations are mandatory for consideration by economic entities within 10 days. This period is set to receive a thorough response from gas station network operators regarding the measures taken in the market.

"The markets for light petroleum products continue to be a focus of increased attention for the AMCU, and in the event of further detection of signs of violation of competition law, the Committee will take immediate measures," the AMCU noted.

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