Mayo town fuel retailers explain price variations

COMMUNITY NOTES: BALLYHAUNIS - WESTERN PEOPLE (MAY 5 EDITION)

A difference in fuel retail prices at filling stations in Ballyhaunis is down to the fast-changing wholesale prices paid by fuel retailers, according to a spokesperson for one of the two retailers.

One reader was in touch to point out that diesel on April 27th cost EUR1.98 in one of the two petrol stations located on the Ballinlough Road out of Ballyhaunis while an adjacent filling station was charging EUR1.89/litre.

“In the seven or eight weeks the [wholesale] price we pay changes three or four times a week, in response to events,” said the spokesperson. “So much has to do with timing. Take two garages located in the same town: one of them takes delivery on Thursday and we take a delivery on Monday at a different price… that goes a long way in explaining why there could be a gap of eight to ten cents between the prices being quoted by two garages in the same town or village.

“Our company and every other fuel distribution company, we are all price takers, dependent on import markets… Even while a truck is on the way to you the price could change on the way there.”