The Croatian Government convened an emergency session in response to escalating Middle East tensions and their impact on global energy markets. The sudden surge in crude oil prices, linked to the conflict involving Iran and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, prompted authorities to intervene in the domestic fuel market.
Prime Minister Andrej Plenković announced new measures aimed at capping retail fuel prices to protect consumers from sharp increases. Crude oil prices have surged to $105–107 per barrel, marking roughly a 50% rise in just ten days. To address the situation, the Government plans to revise two key regulations: one on maximum retail prices for petroleum products and the other on excise duties for energy products and electricity. These changes aim to keep prices significantly lower than market levels.
Without intervention, projections by the Croatian Hydrocarbon Agency indicated diesel could have risen by €0.24 per liter, while petrol would increase by about €0.09 per liter. Following the Government’s decision, eurodiesel prices will be limited to €1.55 per liter instead of the projected €1.72, and petrol will be capped at €1.50 per liter versus an expected €1.55.
Officials say the measures are designed to shield consumers from sudden market shocks and limit the broader economic impact of rising global oil prices. The decision prevents a substantial increase in fuel costs, which could have added roughly €12 to a 50-liter diesel tank and about €4.5 to the same volume of petrol.
