Another threat: Orbán cabinet may reintroduce fuel price caps
Hungarian motorists continued to pay less at the pump in February than in neighbouring countries, the National Economy Ministry said on Friday.
The price of petrol in Hungary averaged HUF 625/litre during the month, HUF 6 under the average in neighbouring countries, the ministry said, citing data compiled from the EU weekly Oil Bulletin by the Central Statistics Office (KSH).
The average price of diesel was HUF 641/litre, HUF 6 under the average in neighbouring countries. Hungary’s government earlier said it would intervene if motor fuel prices exceeded the average in neighbouring countries.
Minister holds talks with retailers’, food suppliers’ representatives
National Economy Minister Marton Nagy held talks on Friday with representatives of the National Trade Association, retail chain COOP as well as food suppliers Tolnatej, Alföldi Tej, Bábolna Tetra, Farm Tojás, Master Good, Bonafarm, NT and Magyar Cukor in order to reduce food prices and to take effective action against price gougers, his ministry said.
The National Economy Ministry said it expects retail chains to cut the prices of staple food products substantially. Unless they indicate their plans to cut food prices voluntarily by early next week, the ministry is ready to intervene by restricting profit margins or, as a last resort, introducing regulated prices in the interest of families and pensioners. Voluntary price cuts are necessary for staple foods such as milk and dairy products, chicken and pork, cooking oil, eggs, flour and sugar, the ministry said.
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