Importers write to the government: We suspend the import and wholesale sale of oil, prices below cost

2026-03-27 13:55:00, Ekonomi CNA

Importers write to the government: We suspend the import and wholesale sale of

The country's oil supply is at risk.

Following yesterday's decision by the Transparency Board, which set the retail prices of oil and gasoline in the country at 203 and 175 lek per liter, respectively (from 214 and 199 lek previously), and those of the majority at 191 and 163 lek per liter, the reaction of major oil importers has come.

They have warned the "Ministry of Finance and Economy" and the "Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy" that in order to avoid selling below cost, which would result in very large losses, they are forced to take temporary measures, specifically:

-Suspension and restriction of wholesale sales of oil and gasoline;

-The slowing down and limiting of the fuel clearance process in Porto Romano, until a later date.

Monitor possesses at least two letters that importing companies have sent today to the "Ministry of Finance and Economy" and the "Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy".

Importers argue this decision by claiming that the retail prices set by the Transparency Board are below cost.

The letter explains that following the latest publication of prices by the Transparency Board, dated March 26, 2026, where the wholesale price ceiling for diesel was set at 191 lek/liter and for gasoline at a maximum level of 163 lek/liter, we would like to inform you of the important issues related to the method of calculating these prices.

According to importers, the calculation is based on the formula used in 2022, which does not reflect current market conditions and, in particular, the contracts in force that we have with our suppliers. As a result, the prices set do not reflect the real costs that currently form the price of a liter of diesel and gasoline for wholesale trade.

Closing of the stock exchange on March 26, 2026:

Oil = $1,402.5/Ton, an increase of $134.75/Ton

Gasoline = $1,037.25/Ton, an increase of $49.25/Ton

Based on the current premiums we have:

Oil = CIF +55 $/Ton

Gasoline = CIF +75 $/Ton

The costs today are:

Oil = 206.2 lek/liter

Gasoline = 169.7 lek/liter

Wholesale prices, with a gross margin of 3 lek/liter, today should be:

Oil = 209.2 lek/liter

Gasoline = 172.7 lek/liter

So, there is a very large difference between the selling prices that should have been today and the selling prices determined by the Transparency Board, specifically, Oil is 18.2 lek/liter higher, while Gasoline is 9.7 lek/liter higher, according to the importers' letter, which "Monitor" has.

Importers have requested in their letters that the "Transparency Board and Temporary Limitation of Wholesale/Retail Trading Prices of Oil and Gas By-Products" be convened as soon as possible to approve new sales prices for gasoil & gasoline products.

They are requesting a review of the calculation methodology where the price is applied on CIF Med terms, and the premium for diesel is calculated at +$50/Ton, gasoline at +$75/Ton.

2- Gross margins to be calculated for diesel +3.5$/liter in wholesale, +15$/liter in retail; Gasoline +4.5$/liter in wholesale, +16$/liter in retail.

Retail prices dropped today

Today, following the decision of the Transparency Board, this morning at retail oil sales points the price has been reduced by 11 lek per liter. From 214 lek per liter, oil is being traded at 203 lek per liter. A price drop has also been recorded for gasoline from 199 lek per liter that was traded previously, the price today has reached 175 lek per liter.

Earlier, importers had warned that if prices were to fall below cost, they would cut off supplies, as the government cannot pass on all the costs of the war to them. “The cost cannot be what a board sets, but what is factual, proven by contract, supplier invoice and consequently by the year of the transaction and this value is taken as a reference by customs for VAT purposes. No Board or Entity has the legitimacy to order an entity to sell below cost,” says Luigj Aliaj from the Association of Hydrocarbon Companies.

Albania has oil prices 30-40% higher than the countries in the region, but according to importers, this is argued by the high burden of taxes they pay on the price of oil. In total, currently, an Albanian pays 1.16 euros in taxes on a liter of oil, (53% of the final price); a Macedonian citizen 0.58 euros per liter (36% of the final price); a Montenegrin 0.55 euros (35% of the final price); a Kosovo citizen 0.67 euros, or 38.5% of the final price. Importers claim that the 20% excise tax reduction, which was expected to affect the price of oil by 8-10 lek per liter, has not yet entered into force.

This has led many vehicle users to source fuel in neighboring countries, spending up to 1 million euros per day./ Monitor Magazine