Fuel prices in Bulgaria have remained unchanged over the past week, according to gas station operators in Ruse, but the pause has not translated into relief for the sector. Despite the temporary stabilization, consumption has continued to fall sharply, with industry data pointing to a decline of around 20 percent over the past month.

Owners say the current price standstill is unlikely to last. Ventsislav Pengezov, who runs a gas station, described the situation on BNT as short-lived, noting that global developments are already pushing costs upward again. ?As you can see, last night's increase in oil prices has already been reflected in wholesale prices today,? he said, adding that he does not expect any real easing in the near term. ?For me, the situation will not calm down in the coming months. Prices will remain high at least until the end of the year.?

He linked the recent pause in price growth to ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran, suggesting that market expectations had temporarily softened. However, the collapse of those talks has quickly reversed that trend. ?Their failure immediately raised the risk premium on oil futures, and this inevitably affects final prices,? Pengezov explained.

At the same time, shrinking demand is creating additional pressure on the sector. According to him, consumption had already dropped by around 10 percent in the previous month, before accelerating to roughly 20 percent more recently. This decline is forcing businesses to reconsider their pricing strategies. ?In Bulgaria, about 90 percent of costs are fixed, so when consumption falls like this, it leads to higher markups in order to cover expenses,? he said.

Operators are now looking for ways to reduce costs as they navigate the downturn, but concerns remain about the broader outlook for small businesses in the industry. Pengezov also voiced criticism of the state's handling of the situation, arguing that the response so far has not been sufficient to address the challenges facing fuel retailers.