Fuel traders have once again complained about the decision on profit margins — 2 cents at the wholesale level and 12 cents at the retail level — stating that Kosovo has some of the lowest fuel prices but also prices that are outside normal standards, meaning extremely low prices.

This was stated at the Assembly of the Kosovo Fuel Traders Association, where the association’s work report for 2025 was discussed, along with other issues of importance to the oil sector.

The Chairman of the Kosovo Fuel Traders Association, Fadil Berjani, said that as far as the oil sector is concerned, matters have been regulated.

“As far as the oil sector is concerned, it has been regulated in my name. I thank the Ministry of Trade and Industry for the cooperation. Our requests have been fulfilled, but we still have some other requests. Our latest request concerns Administrative Instruction 15/2022, where one of the licensing criteria is technical acceptance or certification for the use of a fuel station. The problem we are facing is the decision on the profit margin: 2 cents wholesale, 12 cents retail. We have complained and requested that it not be approved, because Kosovo has the lowest prices. This is the reality; this is the work of fuel traders. There are also prices outside the norm, extremely low prices: the retail price is €1.05 per liter, while the supply price is €1.01. How can a company survive with a profit of 4 cents?” he said.

A representative of the oil sector, Agim Behluli, explained why fuel prices fluctuate.

“For 25 years, a storage depot should have been built, but we do not have one and it still has not been constructed. Naturally, we depend on the international market, which is why prices increase, because we have no reserves. The state should take steps to build a depot and, during global crises, supply us. This would be necessary, because all countries have such facilities,” he said.

The Vice President of the Fuel Traders Association, Tahir Zogaj, emphasized the importance of legalizing and licensing businesses in the sector, calling for permanent licenses for those that meet the criteria. He also highlighted concerns regarding decisions on price caps.

“We have initiated the issue of legalization: we have usage permits, but we do not have legalization permits. Yesterday, we sent a decision to the Association of Municipalities to begin the legalization process. We have also submitted a request to the ministry, but we have not received a response. Licenses should be permanent, not valid for six years. Those who meet the criteria should have licenses without an expiration date. We do not agree with the decisions of the Ministry of Trade — three decisions on price caps — while the Constitution provides for a free market and intervention is being made only in fuel derivatives,” he said, also raising the question of why there is no intervention in energy or food products.