Despite the agreements reached by the Minister of Economy and Regional Development Mr. Mihalis Chrisohoidis, consumers will find it difficult to avoid the new upcoming charges. It is characteristic that, according to official figures of the Hellenic
Statistical Authority, the production price index in December rose by a record 7.6% per annum, while, compared to November prices, prices have increased by 1.8%.
Production prices in August 2008 when the crisis had not yet taken its toll and when oil prices had reached a worldwide of 150 dollars per barrel, it is at $85 now, with a smaller proportionate decrease in the value of the euro versus the dollar.
Given that there exist increases in terms of foreign production, it is evident that Greek consumers find themselves in a “crossfire”: on one side, major inflationary pressures fueled by heavy fuel taxation and on the other side, the recovery of economies worldwide, which feeds demand.
It is no coincidence that for two consecutive years, studies on the economic climate made in the Institute for Economic and Industrial Research, show that households express the view that prices will increase in the near future.
At the same time, cunning and illegal fuel providers are rife. International oil prices have been scaling downwards for nearly two weeks, while the euro has been strengthened against the US dollar. Characteristically evident is the fact that the price of unleaded at refineries has dropped by almost 5%, but gas station average prices are 0.7% lower, ie 1 cent per liter…
source: PROTO THEMA
