FUEL PRICES CONTINUE TO RISE

Joan Collins THE average price of normal unleaded petrol in the Balearics is 1.013 euros, only slightly below the national average of 1.020 euros and much higher than a year ago (0.890 euros), according to figures published by the national Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Commerce. The figures show that only two service stations in the islands offer petrol at below one euro per litre. So, the price of petrol varies between 0.094 euros per litre in the Repsol petrol station in Calvia (on carretera C-719), and 1.029 euros in petrol stations in Ibiza (Plaza Juan Carlos I), Llucmajor (Via Mediterraneo), Palma (Paseo Maritimo), and Pollensa (Moll Vell). The other service station offering petrol at below one euro per litre is on the Paseo Maritimo in Alcudia (run by Agip). As for the average price of the higher grade of unleaded, this is 1.122 euros in the Balearics, below the national average of 1.131 euros but higher than the 0.977 euros of March 2005, according to the Ministry's figures. No service station in the Balearics has this type of petrol for sale at under one euro, although the lowest prices are to be found in four establishments in Ibiza run by BP Oil España S.A. in Avenida Ignacio Vallis, the Paseo Maritimo, the airport road, and Calle San Jaime in Santa Euralia des Riu which all offer it at 1.101 euros. The most expensive price for this grade of petrol is to be found in Alaro (Calle Constitucion) and Llucmajor (Carretera C-717) at 1.131 euros. However, the average price in the Balearics is not the most expensive for this particular grade of petrol, as in Coruña it is 1.148 euros. This is followed by Castellon and Alicante where it is 1.147 and then Cuenca and Gerona where it is 1.146. The cheapest of this grade is to be found in Soria at 1.105 euros followed by Cadiz and Salamance at 1.110 euros. But, while Balearic petrol may not be the most expensive in Spain, rising fuel prices has led to an increase in the cost of living - with most goods having to be imported from the mainland and the transport and farming sectors have also felt the pinch - the latter having staged a number of demonstrations in protest over the high price if fuel.