Are the prices of derivatives rising with the arrival of fellow countrymen and the harvesting campaign?

Although doubts increase that the price of derivatives remain high every year at holiday time when fellow countrymen come to Kosovo, as well as in the harvest-for-grain mechanization season, follows Periscope.

In this regard, the former Trade Minister has asked the Competition Authority to investigate whether there are manipulations in the market, illegal agreements which distort the free market in Kosovo.

However, the chairman of the Oil Association, denies that the price of oil continues to be high even because of the harvesting season and the arrival of the countrymen.

Ismet Mulaj's economy account until he says that the price of fuels is high, underlines that all of this is due to high consumption, including the harvest-forcing campaign and the arrival of fellow countrymen.

He says the Competition Authority should investigate whether there are manipulations in the market, illegal agreements which distort the free market in Kosovo.

Each summer season currently costs fuel are more expensive than supplied to commercials in abundance and retail. The reason is because of a lot of consumption, which should actually have dropped prices, but there are some big companies that have a monopoly on fuel trading and gasoline, and these actually create unwritten deals to keep prices high... M The INT through the Inspectorate would have to monitor the market, but here is more work of the Competition Authority, they would have to be investigated if there were manipulations in the market, illegal agreements, which somehow distort the free market in Kosovo”, Mulaj says.

Until, according to the Chairman of the Wildlife Association, Fadil Behrani has no place for panic, as he says the prices are cheaper than in Europe. He denies that the price of oil continues to be high even because of the harvest season and the arrival of fellow countrymen.

The Ministry of Industry, Enterprise and Trade in a written response to Kosova Prees says inspections have been added to monitor the fuel market.

According to MINT, dozens of joint inspections have been conducted with the Kosovo Tax Administration (ATK) and teams are still on the ground aimed at protecting consumers and increasing transparency.

On the other hand, the Competition Authority suggests that it has not yet found evidence of cartel agreements in this sector. However, according to them, any price change, a similar tendency in determining prices with agreements, will be addressed by the Authority.

We remember that global oil prices have increased after Israel said it had hit Iran, at a dramatic escalation of tensions in the Middle East.

At a time when oil prices on international markets suffered increases as a result of the conflict between Iran and Israel, Kosovo has also been affected with the expensive derivatives. The price for a litre of oil on the Kosovo market ranged from 1.25 euros to 1.35 euros per litre.

On the other hand, the import of dysel in Kosovo has marked increases during the first four months of this year, compared to the same period last year. Official data from the Kosovo Statistics Agency (ASK) shows that between January and April 2025 a total of 200,364 tonnes of diesel, compared to 191,926 tonnes in the same period in 2024.

This represents an increase of about 8,438 tons, or 4.4 percent more compared to last year.

Meanwhile, local dyzel production continues to be zero, making Kosovo totally dependent on imports for this kind of fuel. Exports and stocks have not marked any changes either, according to published statistics. / KP