The Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (AMCU) has not established evidence of collusion in the fuel market during the price increase, the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine Chairman Pavlo Kyrylenko said in a speech in the Verkhovna Rada.
"Based on the analyzed data, the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine has not found any evidence of collusion among market participants to raise prices," Kyrylenko said.
According to Kyrylenko, the Committee has been considering the case of possible anticompetitive concerted actions since March 9. Information about the reasons for the rapid price increase has already been collected and analyzed, and consultations with the government and market participants have been held.
He noted that operators report a decline in sales and profitability, while declaring their readiness to revise prices downward. According to him, thanks to the coordinated actions of the authorities, it was possible to avoid a fuel shortage and stabilize the situation on the market.
At the same time, Kyrylenko emphasized that the investigation is ongoing, and the committee will continue to use the available tools.
"Oil product markets in our country are unregulated. Pricing is free and market-based," added Kyrylenko.
According to him, the price increase is due to a combination of factors, including the rise in the cost of imported fuel, currency fluctuations, higher logistics costs and increased customs duties.
He also noted that in the EU, despite similar price dynamics, antitrust authorities do not open such cases, limiting themselves to monitoring the situation.
Earlier it was reported that the Prime Minister of Ukraine Yuliia Svyrydenko had a meeting with market representatives, emphasizing the need for fair pricing. Market participants also urge consumers to refrain from excessive demand, noting that there is no shortage of fuel.
The rise in fuel prices in Ukraine occurred amid the escalation of the situation around Iran and the complication of logistics through the Strait of Hormuz. As of March 9, the average price of A-95 gasoline increased by 65 kopecks to UAH 69.02/l, diesel fuel - by UAH 2.50 to UAH 71.6/l.
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