A proposal for market fairness in the fuel sector

The request made by Assopetroli-Energia at the end of this morning's extraordinary meeting is similar to what Faib and Fegica proposed: 'We ask for an initiative normative that provides - in uniform legislation - a temporary, dynamic, and balanced price cap, making available to each political force analysis, study, and articulated proposals already in synthesized anticipation in the Senate'.

Cisl has emphasized that the limit should act on the margins that form above, without burdening the distributors who work with few cents per liter. 'A large part of the distribution network, over 35%', explains Sebastiano Gallitelli, general secretary of Assopetroli-Assoenergia, 'is made up of independent operators who buy from those who today apply the price cap, and if the ceiling is not extended to the suppliers, they risk closing. 'If the price ceiling does not extend to the rest of the distribution network, it is a distortion of competition that we cannot but denounce.'

The risk is therefore that a positive measure for consumers, if applied only to a part of the market, will end up creating a competitive imbalance. This problem has also been highlighted by Palazzo Chigi, asking in the first round that the government summon immediately all other operators of the industry chain. The independent distribution represents more than a third of the Italian distribution network, with over 300 brands and thousands of installations on the territory. Independent distributors buy fuel wholesale and resell it in their own plants: if their purchase price is not stabilized, while Eni and Ip today can sell fuel to consumers at discounted prices, 'the independents will be excluded from the market because they will be unable to offer conditions similar', explains Assopetroli, reminding that 'at the purchase price they must add the necessary costs for transportation and distribution of the product and managing the plant'.

The risk is therefore that a positive measure for consumers, if applied only to a part of the market, will end up creating a competitive imbalance. In conclusion, the oil and gasoline industries ask for a 'dynamic' price ceiling from government authorities, which should be extended to all distribution operators, including those that supply sectors such as transportation and agriculture. This request aims to ensure market fairness, avoiding competitive distortions and maintaining the professional conditions of independent operators.