site.btaNo Petrol Crisis in Bulgaria, Bioethanol Supply Issues Being Resolved, Association Chair Says

The situation with petrol shortages at certain filling stations, as reported by consumers, is now improving, according to Svetoslav Benchev, Chairman of the Bulgarian Petroleum and Gas Association.

Benchev told the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) on Wednesday that even if one filling station runs out of petrol, consumers can go to another, so there should be no talk of a petrol crisis in the country and it cannot be said that there is a shortage, because there is enough conventional petrol, with quantities even exceeding the country’s needs.

Benchev said that in recent days the problem has been caused by logistical difficulties in the supply of bioethanol, an additive used in gasoline. According to regulations, petrol is required to contain 10% bioethanol, he added.

According to him, the reasons for the supply shortage are many and complex. “The perfect storm has formed,” he said, “a factory in Hungary closed, deliveries have been hampered by customs tariffs, and raw material production is low because it is made from various types of agricultural products. Furthermore, Bulgaria does not have a port through which larger quantities can be imported, instead imports are done by tanker trucks. All these factors came together, leading to the situation we saw last week,” but Benchev believes the problem is to be resolved soon. “Deliveries are roughly back to normal, it will take some time, but things will likely stabilize,” Benchev said.

He also said that the issues surrounding the delivery of bioethanol will not affect fuel prices, and that prices will not increase.

“Over the last month and a half, petrol prices have decreased by 1.5% and diesel is down by about 2%, so at the moment, there are no indications that prices will rise,” he added.