Can we expect mass closure at Hungarian petrol stations?

Smaller petrol stations have trouble refilling their fuel stocks and accessing state aid. According to Eszter Bujdos, managing director of holtankoljak.hu, only abolishing the price caps could solve the problem – reports Index.

During her interview with InfoRádio, she explained that there was no risk of another upcoming fuel shortage. Now that summer vacations and tourist season are over, everyone travels less, and families started to try to save money on gas. It also helps that the agricultural workers have already acquired most of the necessary supplies, so the demand seems to be decreasing to its normal level.

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Still, only the abolition of the price cap can improve the financial situation of small petrol stations and normalize the fuel stocks. Even without the maximum price, it would take weeks to top up the stocks at the stations to a normal level, according to the managing director of holtankoljak.hu.

If the price cap remains, it can be expected that hundreds of smaller petrol stations will close in the next six months because they cannot fund their losses.

These businesses are facing serious difficulties. They cannot fill up their fuel tanks because MOL only provides a limited amount for them, and primarily delivers to its bigger partners. The process of accessing state aid is also slow and problematic for the operators. The amount of the subsidy is lower than they said – 16 HUF (0.04 EUR) per litre, instead of 20 HUF (0.05 EUR). However, even some of those that have a contract are yet to receive the money.

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For now, the official statement says the current price cap for fuels and foods will remain until the 1^st of October. It is still possible that the government will announce an extension in the next few days, but according to Minister of Economic Development, Márton Nagy, they must carefully consider keeping the caps with the current inflation.