**Consumers Association Questions Justification Behind Cyprus Fuel Price Rises**
The Cyprus Consumers Association has raised concerns regarding the significant increase in fuel prices in Cyprus, particularly in the context of heating oil, which has surged by nearly €500 since March 2023. The association's president, Marios Drousiotis, highlighted that while the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East has contributed to rising international energy costs, it remains unclear whether these factors fully justify the increases that have been passed on to consumers in Cyprus.
According to data from the association, the price of heating oil has seen a substantial rise from €0.950 per litre on March 1 to €1.438 per litre by August 13, marking an increase of 48.8 cents per litre. For households that rely on heating oil, this translates to an additional cost of approximately €488 for filling a 1,000-litre tank. Drousiotis expressed particular concern about the timing of these increases as colder months approach, emphasizing the need for consumers to begin preparing for winter heating needs.
Motorists have also felt the impact of rising fuel prices. The cost of 95-octane petrol has increased from €1.315 to €1.595 per litre, representing a rise of about 21 percent. Diesel prices have similarly climbed from €1.413 to €1.796 per litre, reflecting a 26 percent increase. These figures were calculated despite the government's introduction of an 8.3-cent subsidy aimed at alleviating some of the financial burden on consumers. Drousiotis noted that the increases would have been even more pronounced without this subsidy.
The Consumers Association has repeatedly sought transparency from the consumer protection service regarding how retail fuel prices are monitored and justified. Drousiotis reported that the service has claimed that the market is under observation and that current prices are warranted. However, requests for detailed data on how these determinations are made have been denied, with the service citing confidentiality concerns. Drousiotis contended that a significant portion of the information used in price monitoring could be disclosed without compromising commercial sensitivity.
Further complicating the situation, there have been questions surrounding the application of the subsidy since its implementation in early April. The association's analysis revealed that 19 petrol stations did not reduce their prices by the full 8.3 cents, while another 97 stations made only partial reductions. Shortly after a petroleum company announced a price increase, 22 additional stations raised their prices as well. This led the association to inquire whether failing to fully pass on the subsidy could constitute an offense. However, after an investigation, the consumer protection service concluded that no wrongdoing had occurred.
Drousiotis criticized the apparent lack of effective oversight in the fuel market, stating, “These are clear examples that either prices are not being monitored or they are being monitored and someone is turning a blind eye.” He pointed out that both President Nikos Christodoulides and the finance minister had previously promised rigorous scrutiny of the market when the subsidy was introduced, yet the association's findings have raised doubts about the effectiveness of this oversight.
The Consumers Association has called for greater accountability and transparency in the monitoring of fuel prices, questioning the rationale behind subsidies if they do not directly benefit consumers. Drousiotis remarked, “If you do not ensure that the subsidy will definitely end up with the consumer, why do you give a subsidy? So that it ends up in the cash registers of the petrol stations or I don’t know where else?”
As consumers face mounting fuel costs, the association continues to press for answers and action from the government, expressing frustration over the lack of satisfactory explanations regarding the recent price surges. Drousiotis concluded by stating, “I don’t know if this is because they can’t or because they don’t want to. Let them answer that for us.”