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Price of heating oil has shot up

heating oil
14 Oct 2021 / 11:18

CORFU. The price of heating oil is expected to jump to over €1.30 per litre in Corfu - See the price of wood.

The price of heating oil, which will officially be on sale from tomorrow, Friday 15 October, has increased considerably. Consumers will have to spend a great deal more on heating this year as, according to Corfu Petrol Dealers Association representative Antonis Sakkow, the price of heating oil in Corfu is expected to be over €1.30 per litre, compared to €0.84 last year - an increase of almost 30%!

The price had begun to creep upwards from last January, when it was €0.90 and has now reached its present level. It has increased by €0.05 over the last three days and the final price will be seen on Friday, when sales begin.

"There are increases every day, which will determine the price, but the government needs to take measures to reduce the tax on the oil," Mr. Sakkos told Enimerosi. "International prices are continuously increasing due to profiteering."

€1.79 for unleaded petrol

The price of crude oil is increasing daily, causing a domino effect on the prices of other basic products as well, but it remains unknown how it will affect international markets. Already, the price of unleaded petrol has reached €1.79 per litre in Corfu and diesel €1.50.

Limited demand

At the moment, there is limited demand for heating oil, thanks to the present temperatures. However, as petrol dealer Ioannis Mavilis told Enimerosi, even those who have started ordering are not filling their tanks, due to their financial circumstances.

"Most orders are for no more than 200 litres," he said. "They prefer to order five or six times for smaller amounts. How can people pay, if they aren't earning money? The state isn't providing support for people." He added that demand has decreased by about 40% in Corfu altogether.

According to Mr. Sakkos, orders normally increase nearer to the Christmas period due to the low temperatures.



Wood

Consumers who want something cheaper have already started buying wood. Orders have begun throughout Corfu and prices range from €100 to €130, depending on the area and labour costs.