The wait at the petrol station these days vibrates with tension and anger. At petrol stations, filling up has become almost a luxury again. Petrol and diesel prices continue to climb to levels not seen for some time. Tensions in the Middle East triggered the surge in prices that started about a week ago. The first signs appeared between 4 and 6 March when, according to the National Consumers Union, in Calabria there was an initial increase in diesel fuel of 9.8 cents per litre: translated, almost five euros more for an average 50-litre tank. A figure that may appear sustainable elsewhere but which, in this region, weighs much more because it affects families already forced to deal with fragile economic balances.
A race that doesn’t seem destined to stop
And the race doesn’t seem destined to stop. Prices could undergo a new and significant upward update, as the regional coordinator of Assopetroli, Mario Metallo, anticipated to the Gazzetta. The reason is the exhaustion of stocks in much of Southern Italy. The further adjustment expected for today risks neutralizing, at least in part, the effect of the temporary intervention on excise duties announced by the Government. Yesterday the average regional prices, recorded by the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy, indicated diesel at 1.993 euros per liter at the self-service, while petrol (again at the self-service) was quoted on average at 1.820 euros per litre. But among the approximately 720 facilities in Calabria the trend remains very differentiated, influenced by the geographical location and the brand.
The provincial price ranking
This is the provincial ranking of the most convenient prices (updated yesterday) for diesel at self-service outlets: Panoramic Stop (Rc) 1.669 euros per litre; Esso Falconara Albanese (Cs) 1,699; Eni Viaduct Fiumarella (Cz) 1,829; Eni Serra San Bruno (Vv) 1,859; Eni Isola Capo Rizzuto (Kr) 1,869. These are the most convenient prices for self-service petrol at the pump: Panoramic Stop (Rc) 1.659 euros per litre; Conad Rossano (Cs) 1,699; Conad Ricadi (Vv) 1,729; Multiservice Zagarise (Cz) 1,749; Eni Isola Capo Rizzuto 1,771. On the motorway, however, the most convenient filling up (always at the self-service station) is in Lamezia Est where diesel fuel, yesterday, was supplied at 1.949 euros per litre. The cheapest petrol can be found in the two service stations in Cosenza and Rogliano Ovest: 1.849 euros per litre.
But it’s not just automotive fuels that are in the crosshairs of controversy. Coldiretti yesterday presented a complaint to the Rome Prosecutor’s Office and the Financial Police to ask for full light to be shed on possible speculative maneuvers on the price of agricultural diesel. The organization asks to ascertain any responsibilities and to proceed, if necessary, for the crime of speculative maneuvers on goods provided for by the penal code. The initiative bears the signature of president Ettore Prandini and general secretary Vincenzo Gesmundo and could also be replicated in the next few hours by Coldiretti Calabria at the regional prosecutor’s offices.