By Andrea Hargraves 
Jose Gomez Ferreira addresses the rise in fuel prices next week, which should be about 9.6 cents for diesel and six cents for gasoline, and wonders why the national energy sector entity has removed information from its website about the profits of fuel sellers.
When asked whether the rise in fuel prices was caused by the rise in the value of oil, due to the war, or if there was any financial interest from oil market participants, José Gomes Ferreira ensures that both will happen.
It appears that the price of a barrel of Brent crude continues to rise, It currently stands at $93.93 (€96.93)While in the opposite direction the euro continues to lose its value.
Despite these factors that, according to José Gomez Ferreira, influence the final value, the The price at which the fuel leaves the factory “really gives a big margin to those who refine”, and gives the Portuguese example of the Galp refinery at Sines. It reveals that these and other refineries, which sell to the Portuguese market, are increasing their profit margins respectively.
As Jose Gomez Ferreira confirmed that a year ago, “There used to be a margin of 15 to 20 cents between the ex-factory price and the selling price to the public, and at present it is 30 to 40 cents.”something “unjustified”.
The costs involved in the marketing process ‘never justify’ a 40% increase in profit margins
Jose Gomez Ferreira asserts that although there are costs associated with transportation, warehousing, marketing, distribution, etc., they “do not justify” an increase of 40 cents.
still wondering National Entity for the Energy Sector (ENSE) – the entity that manages the reservations, guarantees the supply of fuel in Portugal and supervises the distribution infrastructure – on why it has been removed from its planned website that compares the fuel reference price and the selling price to the public, thus revealing the profit margin of fuel sellers.
“Why did this entity do this?”
José Gomes Ferreira explains that sales values can no longer be shown to the public, with only the reference price available for consultation.
“Why did this entity do this? I only have one question, or perhaps an explanation. Because of pressure from distributors on the government, which in turn forced ENSE to draw the scheme? Or is it ENSE itself, on its own initiative or removed? Explain to the Portuguese please.”
He concludes his speech by appealing to the transparency of the authorities concerned with the energy sector, which, according to him, has become Increasingly ambiguous.