Tomislav Mićović, General Secretary of the Association of Oil Companies of Serbia, stated in a morning RTV program that Serbia has enough oil reserves. However, the highest prices for oil derivatives are determined by the government, as they have been so far.
Mićović explained that changes in the global market affect all import-dependent countries, including Serbia, which imports 80% of its crude oil. While business operations are challenging, the burden largely falls on sellers, and fuel prices in Serbia remain high.
He emphasized that fuel prices have been elevated for years, mainly due to changes in excise tax policies, which only the government can adjust.
Although summer usually sees higher fuel consumption and pumps are supplied accordingly, fuel availability at rural gas stations is declining. This is due to regulated maximum prices for agricultural farms, making it unprofitable for some stations to sell fuel, resulting in the closure of around 50 rural pumps in the last three years.
Currently, there is no reason for concern, but Mićović warns that global political tensions, such as the Ukraine crisis, can quickly change the situation.
