Light fuel oil must also be taken into account when looking for solutions to help companies and entrepreneurs suffering from the sharp increase in fuel prices, remind Koneyrittäjät and INFRA.
Companies in the machinery and infrastructure sectors are largely responsible for the continuity of basic societal functions and the supply of raw materials to industry. The sharp rise in fuel prices is jeopardizing the operational capacity of these companies.
According to Statistics Finland's monitoring, the average price of light fuel oil used in construction machinery companies was €1,21 per liter in January 2026. Now the pump price of light fuel oil is over €2,15 per liter. The price has increased by almost 80 percent.
At the same time, the price of diesel per liter has risen from €1,80 to just over €2,30, more than 30 percent.
If Finland decides to equitably alleviate the cost crisis faced by companies, companies that need light fuel oil in their operations should not be forgotten.
The price increases are exceptionally large and unpredictable, and no individual company has been able to influence them. This has put many companies and entrepreneurs on a tight budget, despite any fuel clauses that may be in place in contracts. Fuel accounts for a significant portion of the total costs of machinery contracting services.
When considering targeted measures to alleviate the situation, it is good to recall the fuel subsidy implemented during the energy crisis at the beginning of the Ukrainian war for the machinery and transport entrepreneurs who were most affected by the situation. This would also work fairly because increased fuel prices significantly increase the state's VAT collection. The increased tax revenue can be allocated to alleviating the energy crisis, and thus the relief would not require additional state borrowing.
More information
Matti Peltola, CEO of Koneuryttäjät, tel. 040 9009412
Paavo Syrjö, CEO INFRA, tel. +358 40 560 1803