The National Union of Fuel Station Owners and Operators in Morocco has released a statement criticizing the pricing policies of fuel distribution companies. The union claims that these companies have opaque pricing mechanisms and impose exclusive contracts on fuel station owners, limiting their ability to choose suppliers. This situation leads to an uneven commercial relationship, particularly during fluctuations in international fuel prices.
The union argues that fuel station owners are not the ones controlling selling prices, despite bearing the brunt of consumer backlash when prices rise. They also face increasing financial and tax burdens as transaction values rise. The union's document highlights the issue of exclusive contracts that obligate some fuel stations to purchase entirely from the supporting company, restricting their freedom to choose suppliers.
The union also criticizes distribution companies for reducing shipments or canceling orders when prices rise, allowing them to benefit from price differences. They call for greater transparency in price determination and global market fluctuations. The union claims that professionals are excluded from price-setting mechanisms, leaving fuel station owners to face consumers directly without necessary data to explain price increases or decreases.
Contrary to popular belief, the union clarifies that fuel station owners do not automatically benefit from price hikes. Their income is based on a fixed profit margin per liter of fuel, not a percentage of the selling price. This means that the profit margin remains constant regardless of the selling price, and rising prices may have negative consequences for professionals.
The union points out that the cost of purchasing fuel shipments has increased significantly, requiring fuel station owners to provide much more liquidity to buy the same quantity of fuel. This situation forces them to inject additional funds or borrow to maintain inventory levels and meet customer needs. Banking costs associated with financing supply operations and covering orders also rise without improving the final profit margin.
The union warns that relying on gross transaction numbers in tax evaluation mechanisms can create an inaccurate picture of a fuel station's financial situation. Rising fuel prices automatically increase transaction numbers, but this does not necessarily mean that net profit has increased. The union cautions that this discrepancy may lead to unfounded tax estimates and risks of automatic tax reviews.
The union aims to redirect the discussion on fuel prices, emphasizing that fuel station owners and consumers are both affected. Consumers face rising transportation and living costs, while fuel station owners face higher inventory costs, decreased purchasing power, and banking costs. The union asserts that fuel stations are merely the last distributors in the supply chain, implementing prices they cannot control or adjust.
Key points
- Fuel station owners in Morocco criticize pricing policies of distribution companies
- Exclusive contracts limit fuel station owners' ability to choose suppliers
- Rising fuel prices do not necessarily increase fuel station owners' profit margins
