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By:
Sanie Yusufi
- March 2 2026 19: 32
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The escalation of the conflict in the Middle East has immediately reflected in the fuel market in Kosovo. Within two days, the price of oil has increased by up to 10 cents per liter. Representatives of this sector warn that any uncertainty in global supply could bring new price movements in the coming days. And the Ministry of Trade says that they are monitoring price movements and will take protective measures
The price of oil in Kosovo has increased by 3 to 10 cents per liter, following the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East. From 1.15 to 1.21 euros, on Monday the price per liter of oil was between 1.18 and 1.27 euros, depending on the companies that sell oil.
The chairman of the Oilmen's Association, Fadil Berjani, has justified the price movements with the uncertainty in global supply caused by tensions in the Persian Gulf.
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According to Berjani, any problems in that corridor are immediately reflected in the markets and usually translate into higher fuel costs for consumers.
Global oil prices have risen sharply following Iran's attacks on other countries in the Middle East, in response to attacks by the US and Israel.
Brent crude oil prices rose 10 percent to above $82 a barrel on Monday after at least three ships were attacked near the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend.
Even though Kosovo does not import goods through this corridor, according to the president of the Chamber of Commerce, Lulzim Rafuna, the problem lies with imports from European Union countries.
"Even though they don't pass through, we don't have ships, we don't trade through the Strait of Hormuz, but indirectly through the European market we will be affected as well. When the supply chain in the European market and other markets is disrupted, then it is automatically reflected in our market in Kosovo," he said.
Rafuna has indicated that about 20 percent of total world trade, including oil derivatives, electricity, but also other products, passes through the Strait of Hormuz.
"We, as the Chamber, have warned that any closure could lead to an increase in inflation. In addition to increasing prices, there could be disruption to the supply chain if this strait were to close, as there would be disruption to the circulation of goods and thus the entire chain would be disrupted," Rafuna stressed.
He hopes that this situation will not last long, so that the negative effects will not be large.
Asked why this is immediately reflected in Kosovo, Rafuna said that companies make purchases in short periods and are dependent on stock market movements.
"Our economies are not strong enough to have enough stocks for weeks or months. We are directly dependent on purchases for short periods of time and the stock market as prices move," he said.
The Ministry of Trade has announced measures to protect consumers. In a response to KOHA, it said that they have intensified field inspections of economic operators dealing with the trade of petroleum products. According to MINTI, during the day, 4 teams monitored the field.
"This supervision will continue intensively over the coming days, during which reports will also be prepared on a daily basis of field inspections of economic operators involved in the trading of petroleum products with a focus on prices," the response states.
And in the press release, this government department also warned of taking measures.
"In the event of sudden and unjustified price fluctuations at petroleum product trading points, the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship, Trade and Industry will assess in detail the possibility of taking a Decision through which price regulation is established and other protective measures for petroleum products are set, which also foresees increased supervision by Kosovo Customs, the Central Inspectorate for Market Surveillance, and the Kosovo Tax Administration," the announcement states.
A day earlier, Iran warned companies not to sail through the Strait of Hormuz, which it controls.
About 20 percent of the world's oil and gas is transported through this strategic corridor.