Fuel sales up 6% in ’22, heating fuel sales rise sharply by 13%

Despite the energy crisis, domestic fuel sales in 2022 regained all ground lost during the lockdown period, registering sales just one percent below those recorded in pre-pandemic 2019.

Following two years of decline, fuel sales ended 2022 at 6.805 million metric tons, up 6 percent compared to 2021, when they had reached 6.402 million metric tons.

Last year’s rise in fuel sales was driven by increased tourism and economic activity. All fuel sub-categories ended 2022 with escalated figures, even gasoline, up by a modest 2 percent compared to 2021, despite increased prices at the pump and a further shrinkage of disposable incomes in Greece last year.

Heating fuel sales registered a 13 percent increase on the previous year, to 1.17 million metric tons, primarily as a result of subsidy support offered to consumers. Also, households equipped with natural gas heating systems were offered incentives to prefer fuel heaters.

Diesel sales rose 6 percent in 2022 compared to 2021, reaching 2.697 million metric tons. Besides the year’s greater tourism and business activity, a temporary discount of 15 cents per liter on diesel, offered until the end of September, also helped push up sales in this fuel category.

LPG sales also rose sharply in 2022, by 11 percent compared to the previous year, to 0.875 million metric tons.

Aviation fuel soared by 68 percent in 2022, compared to 2021. Maritime fuel sales rose by 6 percent but were still 21 percent below levels reached in 2019.