High prices do not curb demand, fuel sales increase

High fuel prices have not led to a decrease in oil consumption in the domestic market. In the second quarter of 2026, when the retail price of diesel fluctuated at levels of around 180–200 lek per liter, hydrocarbon sales in specialized commercial units increased by 8.4% compared to the same period last year.

According to INSTAT data, retail trade as a whole continued to expand in the second quarter of 2026, with a 6.8% increase in sales volume compared to the previous year. The growth of fuels was higher than the market average, indicating that demand for oil remained stable even in conditions of higher costs for consumers.

During this period, the prices approved by the Transparency Board for diesel fuel changed several times, reflecting developments in international markets and relevant taxes. In April, the ceiling price for the retail sale of diesel fuel was set at around 203–210 lek per liter, while at the end of May it dropped to 187 lek per liter.

Despite these levels, fuel sales contributed 2.1 percentage points to total retail trade growth. After them, non-food items had the biggest impact, with 2.7 percentage points, while food, beverages and tobacco contributed 2 percentage points.

Compared to the first quarter of the year, hydrocarbon sales increased by 2.1% after eliminating seasonal effects. Meanwhile, non-food items expanded by 1.9%, while food, beverages and tobacco by 0.4%.

The increase in fuel consumption in a period of high prices is also related to the characteristics of demand for diesel, which remains less elastic to price changes, especially for users who depend on vehicles for transportation and economic activity.

Retail trade continued to expand in the second quarter of 2026, reflecting increased sales volume in all major activity groups.

The growth was supported by expanding sales in both daily consumer goods, non-food products and fuels.

According to the structure of trade, the largest contribution to the total growth was made by non-food items, with +2.7 percentage points, followed by hydrocarbon trade with +2.1 percentage points and the food, beverages and tobacco group with +2.0 percentage points./ Monitor

Po ndodh...

11:53 AKTUALITET

The Economy Committee gives the "ok", 40 AF troops will go to Gaza

11:40 AKTUALITET

AMP operation in Durrës, one police officer is arrested in flagrante delicto, two others are being investigated at large

11:19 AKTUALITET

Arrestimi i Gert ‘Gjeneralit’/ Kokaina në Shqipëri u kap nga Europoli, ishte fshehur në një kontejner

11:19 POLITIKË

The Supreme Court put the mayor behind bars, the protesters in chorus: Rama in prison, Veliaj in prison, Belinda in prison, Berisha in prison!

Nga Azgan Haklaj 11:05 IDE

Innocence for the liberators, so that history is not judged!

Nga Azgan Haklaj

11:01 POLITIKË

"Don't release Erion Veliaj"/Protest in front of the Supreme Court: In Tirana, money was laundered through construction, with his blessing

10:52 AKTUALITET

Names/ Rally at "Zogu i Zi", police arrest 12 protesters and prosecute 15 others

10:39 AKTUALITET

Trafficking large amounts of cocaine, Albanian gang in Belgium busted! Gert 'The General' arrested

10:26 AKTUALITET

Ex-husband injured his father with a sickle, woman from Roskovec confesses: He raped and raped me, I need a psychologist

10:06 EKONOMI&SOCIALE

Explosion in Brryl: Five insurances that fuel traders should know

10:04 POLITIKË

Conflict over salaries with justice, BIRN: Aimed at distracting attention and public debate from daily protests

09:54 POLITIKË

'After helping Rama, now he will help Putin'/ SPIEGEL: How Kanye West is being used by the Kremlin

09:52 AKTUALITET

A burned vehicle suspected of being used for illegal activities is found in Cerkovina.

09:49 POLITIKË

Erion Veliaj requests release from prison, the Supreme Court will review the security measure today

Dua të lexoj më shumë lajme