The Kosovo Chamber of Commerce (KCC) has expressed its concern regarding the decision of the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade to impose maximum margins on petroleum products. According to the KCC, this decision directly interferes with the free market and undermines the principles of fair competition.
“Setting price caps on fuel is not in line with the principles of a free-market economy and risks disrupting the normal functioning of the market by restricting the freedom of economic operators,” the KCC stated in its reaction.
The KCC emphasizes that fuel prices are determined by a combination of international and local factors, including fluctuations in global markets, transportation costs, supply chains, and geopolitical developments. Such administrative measures do not reflect these realities and may negatively affect supply and competition.
Furthermore, the KCC points out that the decision was taken by a caretaker government, which has a limited legal and institutional mandate. The practice and rulings of the Supreme Court of Kosovo indicate that decisions with broad economic impact should be taken by governments with a full mandate and full parliamentary legitimacy.
The Kosovo Chamber of Commerce calls on the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade to reconsider this decision and to find alternative mechanisms to protect consumers and ensure fair competition, without direct intervention in pricing.
The KCC remains committed to supporting a stable, transparent, and competitive market, while also offering constructive dialogue with institutions to find solutions that protect both consumers and businesses.
Meanwhile, the maximum commercial margin has been set at up to 2 euro cents per liter for wholesale sales and up to 12 euro cents per liter for retail sales.
Rozeta Hajdari, Acting Minister of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade, has stated that the decision to set protective measures for petroleum products used in transport aims to protect consumers and ensure fair competition in the domestic market.
This decision enters into force one day after its publication in the Official Gazette and предусматри increased inspection oversight by the Market Inspectorate in cooperation with Customs and the Tax Administration.
According to the Association of Petroleum Traders, fuel prices in Kosovo today range from €1.15 to €1.28 per liter for diesel and from €1.16 to €1.27 per liter for gasoline.
It is recalled that similar most recent measures were imposed on June 24, 2025, and prior to that on April 7 of this year. Protective measures and margin limits had also been imposed in 2022.
These restrictions were valid for specific periods, often for 30 days.
