The record high increase in the price of fuel has forced
Jamaicans into cutting back on fuel purchases.
Gasoline retailers claim that since January, there has been a decline in sales.
According to President of the Jamaica Gasoline Retailers Association Errol Edwards the fall-off is directly linked to the sharp increase in the cost of petroleum products.
Mr. Edwards said the decline is in the region of 5%.
Managing Director of Petrojam Winston Watson said the rise in petrol prices had resulted in a major shift in the buying pattern.
He said more motorists are purchasing unleaded 87 gasoline, which is cheaper than 90 gasoline.
Jamaicans have seen a continuous rise in the cost of fuel since the price for oil passed the US$100 mark.
On Wednesday, Petrojam announced that as of Thursday, motorists will pay an additional $2.23 per litre for unleaded gasoline.
Diesel is up $2.73 per litre while it will cost $2.79 more for kerosene.
One dollar and eighteen cents has been added to the price per litre for cooking gas.
US$3mil oil bill
With oil now at US$134 a barrel, there is a prediction that Jamaica's fuel import bill will increase by US$1 billion to a record US$3 billion this financial year.
Mr. Edwards said the outlook for Jamaica is gloomy.
"Last year our fuel bill broke the US$2 million mark and the way it's going (now), it's going to climb past the US$3 billion bill for this year," he said.
Gasoline retailers claim that since January, there has been a decline in sales.
According to President of the Jamaica Gasoline Retailers Association Errol Edwards the fall-off is directly linked to the sharp increase in the cost of petroleum products.
Mr. Edwards said the decline is in the region of 5%.
Managing Director of Petrojam Winston Watson said the rise in petrol prices had resulted in a major shift in the buying pattern.
He said more motorists are purchasing unleaded 87 gasoline, which is cheaper than 90 gasoline.
Jamaicans have seen a continuous rise in the cost of fuel since the price for oil passed the US$100 mark.
On Wednesday, Petrojam announced that as of Thursday, motorists will pay an additional $2.23 per litre for unleaded gasoline.
Diesel is up $2.73 per litre while it will cost $2.79 more for kerosene.
One dollar and eighteen cents has been added to the price per litre for cooking gas.
US$3mil oil bill
With oil now at US$134 a barrel, there is a prediction that Jamaica's fuel import bill will increase by US$1 billion to a record US$3 billion this financial year.
Mr. Edwards said the outlook for Jamaica is gloomy.
"Last year our fuel bill broke the US$2 million mark and the way it's going (now), it's going to climb past the US$3 billion bill for this year," he said.
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