The main operators on the fuel market have complied with the provisions regarding the capping of the commercial markup, during the period April – June 2026, and their margins have not exceeded the average level recorded in 2025, shows a preliminary analysis published by the Competition Council.
Thus, the margins reported by them have not exceeded the average level recorded in 2025.
“We are constantly monitoring the fuel market, especially in a period when prices are high and there is a natural concern on the part of consumers. The data analyzed so far show that the main operators on the market have complied with the provisions regarding the capping of the commercial markup. The analysis is ongoing and we will finalize it in the coming period”, declared Bogdan Chirițoiu, President of the Competition Council.
In the case of the main producers and distributors included in the Price Monitor, namely OMV Petrom, Rompetrol, MOL Romania and Socar Romania, the analyzed data do not indicate higher margins in the period April-June 2026 than those related to 2025. For Petrotel-Lukoil, Lukoil Romania and Nis Petrol/Gazprom, additional clarifications are necessary, as some of the reported information is incomplete or there are some inconsistencies.
The Competition Council analyzed the data submitted to the National Agency for Fiscal Administration (ANAF) by economic operators active in the production, import, distribution and marketing of gasoline and diesel, based on the obligations established by GEO no. 19/2026. According to the regulatory act, during the period 1 April-30 June 2026, the average value of the commercial mark-up practiced by each economic operator was limited to the average annual level of the commercial mark-up practiced by it in 2025.
In total, in the database transmitted by ANAF, 824 economic operators were identified that reported information for at least one of the analyzed periods, and for 536 of them there are reports for both 2025 and the analyzed period of 2026.
Following the preliminary analysis, 65 situations were identified in which the values reported for 2026 appear to be higher than the reference level for 2025, for at least one of the analyzed products or marketing channels. These situations are to be verified individually and do not represent, at this stage, final findings regarding non-compliance with the capping of the commercial mark-up.
Also, in some cases, possible errors or reporting inconsistencies were identified, such as erroneous classifications of some products, overlaps between the initial and corrective declarations, lack of information regarding the unit of measurement and some apparently erroneous values.
The Competition Council will continue the analysis together with ANAF and will request, where necessary, additional information and clarifications from economic operators.
Market evolution after the reduction of the excise duty on diesel
In parallel, the Competition Council monitors the current evolution of fuel prices, using both data from the Price Monitor and information requested directly from companies.
The 20% reduction in the excise duty on diesel, applied on August 16, meant 68 bani/liter. Immediately after the application of the measure, the average price of standard diesel decreased from approximately 10.74 lei/liter to 10.10 lei/liter. Thus, the main operators reduced the price at the pump by 68 bani/liter. The only exception was a company already under state supervision, which applied a reduction of 53 bani/liter.
As a result of the subsequent increase of approximately 13-15 bani/liter, the average price reached approximately 10.23 lei/liter.
“Currently, diesel is approximately 50-53 bani/liter cheaper than before the excise duty reduction, which means that the measure is effective and the price paid by the consumer is lower. The price of diesel is influenced not only by the crude oil price, but also by the evolution of the prices of refined products, the diesel shortage and supply problems. International diesel prices remain at high levels, and the pressures on prices come mainly from the refining sector,” the President of the Competition Council also stated.
The evolution of fuel prices in Romania, during this period, is similar to that on European markets. Thus, on August 17, the price of diesel with taxes in Romania was practically equal to the European Union average: 2.030 euros/liter in Romania, compared to 2.033 euros/liter EU average. Between August 10-17, the price of diesel in Romania increased by approximately 1%, while in 16 other Member States higher increases of up to 9% were recorded.
At the same time, the tax-free price in Romania was approximately 6% below the EU average: 1.142 euros/liter compared to 1.210 euros/liter.
In the case of gasoline, prices in Romania were even lower: approximately 6% below the EU average for the tax-free price and 8% below the EU average for the tax-free price.
On August 24, the average price of standard gasoline in Romania was approximately 9.55 lei/liter.
Following the recent change in the methodology for capping the mark-up on the fuel market, it is observed that prices in Romania have decreased less compared to the European average than in the April-June period when the previous capping was applied. At that time, tax-free prices were up to 10% below the EU average, and tax-free prices were up to 20% lower.
