It is expensive to refuel in Hungary because of gas stations
Motorists refueling in Hungary are forced to face an annoying ranking when they compare the current fuel prices of each country with the domestic price levels. It appears that domestic charging stations are currently the most expensive in the region.
THE Where to refuel according to data, petrol is currently sold for HUF 635 per liter and diesel for HUF 707 per liter. Converted to HUF 400, this amounts to EUR 1.58 and EUR 1.76, respectively. Examining the price levels of the neighboring European countries at the end of December, it can be seen that
this is the price level in the region.
It is important to emphasize the regional category, since in Western and Northern Europe much more expensive than the Hungarian one fuel is priced. In Germany, gasoline is 1.70, diesel 1.83, in Denmark similar 1.84 and 1.82, in the Netherlands 1.75 and 1.76, in Norway 1.96 and 2.08. In any case, in our immediate environment
- In Austria, petrol is 1.46, diesel is 1.67,
- in Croatia (price stop here is valid), 1.34 and 1.6,
- 1.51 and 1.57 in the Czech Republic,
- in Poland 1.40 and 1.65,
- in Romania 1.33 and 1.57,
- In Serbia, 1.5 and 1.76 (here sliding price cap is valid),
- in Slovakia 1.50 and 1.63,
- In Slovenia (there is also a price cap), it cost 1.25 and 1.48 euros last week.
Thus, there are differences of 10-20 euro cents compared to the Hungarian liter prices, which corresponds to approximately HUF 40-80. All this is a HUF 2-4 thousand difference for an average 50-liter refueling. The only question is why.
Welcome back, margin!
Eszter Bujdos, the managing director of Holtankoljak, explains to Világgazdaság the difference between the prices, that the wells in Hungary, which lasted for almost 13 months, after the official price period the jacket is re-buttoned.
In the current situation, they have to realize a higher margin if they want to stay on top
– He told. There are several effects on filling stations that force margins to increase. The first thing that needs to be done is the launch of energy prices, which must be given after the arrival of the first invoices, the wells have now experienced firsthand. Bujdos talked about a seven- to eight-fold increase in utilities. The costs are further increased by the increase in the minimum wage in January for non-automatic wells, and in the case of large networks, the transfer of extra profit affecting them is also included in the change in consumer prices.
The weakening of the dollar-forint exchange rate on an annual basis, as well as analysts’ expectations that the market is expected to reach $100 per oil, are not favorable for fuels either. Even now, but at such a high level, the consequence that the demand will decrease must be taken into account, which, in turn, again calls for the widening of the margin. To what exact percentage level is uncertain for the time being, according to Eszter Bujdos, it is still moving.
One thing is certain: with the margin before the price stop, i.e. for the period of November 2021, it is not possible today
does not successfully operate a filling station.
Dark clouds on the horizon
Effective from February, embargo on Russian oil repeatedly creates a new situation on the fuel market, the expert expects a major reorganization in the wholesale trade. In any case, it is good news from the point of view of security of supply that importers have entered the Hungarian market and want to sell, or not.
In the long term, the head of Holtankoljak does not expect that the Hungarian price will remain higher compared to the prices in the region, therefore he draws attention to the fact that Central Europe must also get used to more expensive fuel on a long-term basis, and the probability of a further increase in 2023 as a whole is also high.