During her intervention on Tuesday, September 1, at Digi24, Eugenia Gusilov discussed the drop in diesel prices below the 10 lei threshold.

She explained that the reduction of 17 bani per liter on the first day of September was strictly the result of the Ministry of Finance's decision to apply the maximum legal reduction of 25% to the excise tax.

She pointed out that the price of diesel dropped below 10 lei at only one station network, specifically Petrom, where it decreased from 10.14 to 9.97 lei. However, she emphasized that this reduction remains fragile and could easily be absorbed by developments in the regional market.

According to the ROEC Director, September remains the most difficult test of the autumn. The regional market is experiencing structural changes in supply flows from the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. Furthermore, strikes that affected Russian refineries have disrupted existing trade chains, and Russia has halted diesel exports since July 8.

She also noted that Turkey previously bought diesel from Russia while selling fuel from its own refineries to Greece or Romania, meaning the Turks now compete directly for available diesel volumes in the region.

All these disturbances have led to a critical point, entering September with the highest price per ton of diesel recorded this year, making September the absolute peak. Market relaxation will only occur once the market settles, and price discounts will follow the stabilization of new commercial routes.