On 29 October 2026, the Latvian Competition Authority decided to conduct an in-depth review of VIRŠI-A’s acquisition of long-term use rights, through leases, over four fuel stations previously used by ASTARTE-NAFTA. The stations are in Cesvaine, Višķi, Koknese and Preiļi.

VIRŠI-A is a publicly listed company whose main activities include retail sales of motor fuels and convenience goods, alongside services commonly offered at fuel stations, such as car washing, parking and electric-vehicle charging. Its group also sells other energy products, including compressed natural gas, biomethane and electricity. ASTARTE-NAFTA has operated in the wholesale and retail petroleum-products sectors since 1991; the four stations sold petrol and diesel and offered convenience goods and related services.

The stations are owned by NAFTIMPEKS, which received authority approval in October 2025 to acquire ownership of 25 ASTARTE-NAFTA fuel stations, including the four involved in this transaction. NAFTIMPEKS specialises in receiving, temporarily storing and forwarding light petroleum products.

The parties identified potential effects in Latvian-wide wholesale markets for petrol and diesel, as well as retail markets for petrol, diesel and autogas, considered separately. The relevant retail areas include sections of the A6 and A13 roads, part of the P63 road, and local areas around the Cesvaine, Višķi and Preiļi stations. The parties also distinguished sales to individual consumers (B2C) from sales to industrial customers (B2B).

During the review, the authority will use quantitative analysis to assess whether the transaction could give VIRŠI-A an increased incentive to raise local retail prices for petrol, diesel or autogas. It will also examine whether the parties’ proposed geographic market definitions are justified and how important consumers’ ability to choose between different fuel-station operators is. Interested market participants and other parties may submit views to the authority by 17 November 2026.