The Bundeskartellamt has published its "Kraftstoff News" for July, detailing the developments in the fuel market. Average prices for July were reported at €2.156 per liter for E5, €2.10 for E10, and €2.097 for diesel. Fuel prices increased by 13.7 cents per liter for gasoline and 26.8 cents for diesel from the beginning to the end of July.

Additionally, the gap between crude oil prices and wholesale prices is widening again, particularly for diesel. Low water levels on the Rhine are contributing to regional price differences, and deviations from the 12 PM rule have increased in July.

Andreas Mundt, President of the Bundeskartellamt, stated that investigations against all refinery operators in Germany were initiated in May. The aim is to verify the actual costs incurred by these companies and whether the prices charged can be justified. The investigations are progressing as planned, with initial responses to inquiries already received, although some deadlines for responses are still ongoing. Two companies are legally challenging the inquiries, but there have been initial advancements in those cases as well.

While many consumers are seeking relief from high fuel prices, the competition law does not serve as a tool for state price regulation and cannot directly lower fuel prices. The Bundeskartellamt's role is to pursue competition violations and excessively high prices, which requires complex economic and legal assessments that cannot be completed quickly.

The number of deviations from the 12 PM rule remains high, having increased again in July after a decline from April to June. The authority is in contact with various state authorities regarding the enforcement of this rule and has sent data packages to most known state authorities.

Further information from the Bundeskartellamt regarding the fuel sector can be found in the quarterly report of the Market Transparency Office for Fuels and the chapter on the mineral oil industry in the recently published annual report, both accompanied by press releases.