THE PRICE of diesel in Slovakia has increased to almost Sk42 per litre, marking an all-time high. In spite of this Slovak diesel remains the cheapest in Central Europe, the Sme daily reported.
According to Natankuj.sk, which monitors motor fuel prices, the average price of diesel as of April 15 had increased by Sk0.30 per litre to between Sk41.80 and Sk41.90 per litre. Petrol prices remained unchanged and the average price of 95-octane natural petrol is below Sk39.30 per litre.
High crude-oil prices on the global market and the drop in heating oil supplies in the United States are behind what is already the fourth increase in the diesel price in Slovakia this year.
"Diesel prices on the Rotterdam exchange are again breaking records, which is also reflected in individual countries of the European Union (EU)," the SITA newswire reported, as quoted by the website.
Despite this, the price of diesel before taxes in Slovakia is among the lowest in the EU. As of April 7, Slovakia, with an average diesel price before taxes of Sk20.37 per litre, was sixth cheapest in the EU. Bulgaria had the lowest prices with a litre of diesel costing Sk1.49 less.
Compared with other Visegrad Group countries and Austria, Slovakia has the lowest pre-tax diesel price, followed by Austria where diesel is Sk0.15 more expensive. Petrol prices in Slovakia have not changed in six weeks.
"We expect 95-octane natural petrol in Slovakia to exceed Sk40 per litre as the summer motoring season approaches," concluded the portal.
