Fuel prices in Bulgaria have been climbing steadily over the past three weeks, with diesel recording the sharpest increase, national market data cited by bTV showed on Monday.
The average cost of major fuels has risen by about 10 stotinki (0.05 euro) per liter over roughly 20 days. Before the announcement of U.S. sanctions against Russian oil company Lukoil, some gas stations offered gasoline for around 2.40 lev (1.23 euro) per liter. Prices have since increased by around 4 stotinki, while diesel has jumped by up to 10 stotinki per liter.
Drivers say they are beginning to feel the impact on their household budgets, though the rise remains moderate. “Four or five stotinki more – it’s manageable, but it makes you think about switching to an electric car,” one driver told local media. Others said they are using loyalty discounts to offset higher costs.
Fuel station operators confirmed the upward trend, pointing to fluctuations in global oil prices and uncertainty linked to the sanctions on Lukoil. “Diesel prices have risen by about 10 to 11 stotinki, while gasoline is up by 4 to 5,” industry representatives said.
Analysts noted that a shift of just three to five U.S. dollars per barrel on international markets typically translates into a 10-stotinki rise per liter at Bulgarian fuel pumps. The correlation between global crude movements and local retail prices is once again evident, pushing fuel costs slightly higher across the country.