Photo taken on March 18, 2022 shows diesel and gasoline prices displayed on a board at a gas station in Frankfurt, Germany. Responding to the recent surge in petrol and diesel prices in Germany, the Federal Cartel Office (BKartA) said on Wednesday that it will closely monitor price developments at the country's gas stations. (Photo by Armando Babani/Xinhua)
BERLIN, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Responding to the recent surge in petrol and diesel prices in Germany, the Federal Cartel Office (BKartA) said on Wednesday that it will closely monitor price developments at the country's gas stations.
"If crude oil prices fall again now and gas station prices do not follow or even continue to rise, we have to take a close look at this," said BKartA President Andreas Mundt.
In addition to changes in the price of crude oil, other market developments and distortions at the refinery and wholesale level caused by the Ukraine crisis in particular could also influence the prices at the pump, according to the BKartA.
Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action Robert Habeck on Wednesday asked the BKartA to monitor gasoline and diesel prices "very closely and to take action if there is any indication of abusive behavior."
"The oligopoly situation in the German fuel market has long been a structural problem," Habeck said. Companies should not be allowed to make "undue profits" from the current situation.
The average price per liter of standard E10 fuel at petrol stations in Germany climbed to 2.19 euros (2.41 U.S. dollars) on Tuesday, according to the General German Automobile Club (ADAC). The price for a liter of diesel even reached 2.29 euros.
"Price jumps like those seen in recent weeks have never been seen before in Germany," the ADAC said. Since the start of the Ukraine crisis, the price of Super E10 fuel has increased by around 25 percent and the price of diesel by almost 38 percent. (1 euro = 1.10 U.S. dollar) ■
People fill the tanks of their cars at a gas station in Frankfurt, Germany, March 18, 2022. Responding to the recent surge in petrol and diesel prices in Germany, the Federal Cartel Office (BKartA) said on Wednesday that it will closely monitor price developments at the country's gas stations. (Photo by Armando Babani/Xinhua)
Photo taken on March 18, 2022 shows diesel and gasoline prices displayed on a board at a gas station in Frankfurt, Germany. Responding to the recent surge in petrol and diesel prices in Germany, the Federal Cartel Office (BKartA) said on Wednesday that it will closely monitor price developments at the country's gas stations. (Photo by Armando Babani/Xinhua)
A man fills the tank of his car at a gas station in Frankfurt, Germany, March 18, 2022. Responding to the recent surge in petrol and diesel prices in Germany, the Federal Cartel Office (BKartA) said on Wednesday that it will closely monitor price developments at the country's gas stations. (Photo by Armando Babani/Xinhua)
Photo taken on March 18, 2022 shows diesel and gasoline prices displayed on a board at a gas station in Frankfurt, Germany. Responding to the recent surge in petrol and diesel prices in Germany, the Federal Cartel Office (BKartA) said on Wednesday that it will closely monitor price developments at the country's gas stations. (Photo by Armando Babani/Xinhua)
Photo taken on March 18, 2022 shows vehicles traveling on a road in Frankfurt, Germany. Responding to the recent surge in petrol and diesel prices in Germany, the Federal Cartel Office (BKartA) said on Wednesday that it will closely monitor price developments at the country's gas stations. (Photo by Armando Babani/Xinhua)