By Andreas Potamitis and Georgia Channi
Different interpretations have emerged over fuel price reductions following the cut in excise duty implemented on Saturday, with contrasting assessments from the Cyprus Consumers Association, the Cyprus Fuel Station Owners Association and the Consumer Protection Service.
Consumer Association head Marios Drousiotis made serious allegations about fuel pricing, claiming that a large number of petrol stations failed to apply the excise‑tax reduction in full.
Speaking on Politis radio (107.6 and 97.6) during the programme Morning Review, Drousiotis said the association monitored petrol stations from Friday night until Saturday morning, when the reduction was due to take effect. According to their findings, 19 stations did not reduce prices at all, 98 reduced prices by less than the 8.33 cents per litre foreseen under the government scheme, while 67 stations reduced prices by more than 8.33 cents, rounding the cut to 8.5 cents per litre.
He also alleged that 19 stations belonging to a specific company reduced prices by between 2.00 and 6.50 cents, instead of the required 8.33 cents.
“I called the competent authorities”
Drousiotis said he holds a list with names and addresses of the stations involved and has already contacted the competent authorities, asking them to clarify whether it is legal for petrol stations not to apply the price reduction.
He argued that the fact the reduction “did not reach consumers in full but only partially means that someone along the way, the petrol stations, benefited from part of the cut”.
The president of the Cyprus Fuel Station Owners Association, Savvas Prokopiou, told CNA that some station operators indeed did not lower prices, adding that most of them are not members of the association.
What the Consumer Protection Service says
The Consumer Protection Service reiterated that it monitors fuel prices on a daily basis and has detected no cases of overcharging or profiteering.
Speaking to Politis, the service’s director, Constantinos Karagiorgis, said the excise‑tax cut has helped and continues to help consumers, but stressed that it is a static measure introduced at a specific point in time to offset fuel costs. By contrast, fuel pricing has become dynamic due to uncertainty linked to the war, changing day by day, a trend reflected in sharp increases in international freight and insurance costs.
“The reduction in excise duty has been achieved, and this is clearly shown in the data recorded by the service concerning average prices,” Karagiorgis said. “Between 3 April 2026 at 8 pm and 4 April 2026 at 10.30 am, when the measure took effect, the average reduction for 95‑octane petrol was 7.9 cents, while for diesel it was 7.6 cents.”
Regarding reports that certain stations did not apply the measure, Karagiorgis said the competent department of the Finance Ministry, the Customs Department, has been informed so it can carry out the appropriate checks.
Each petrol station applies its own pricing policy and adjusts its prices according to its costs, he added.
“There is a difference between not applying the decree at all, which is illegal, and not applying it to its maximum extent,” Karagiorgis said.
He urged consumers to make the most cost‑effective choices by using the Consumer Protection Service’s fuel price observatory.