The prices of fuel could rise seven percent, due to the increase in excise taxes as of 1 January 2010, because of the updating of the exchange rate. Legislation stipulates that, as of 1 January 2010, excise taxes will be calculated at a 4.268 leu-euro exchange rate, 14.2 percent higher than the exchange rate used in 2009. This means that the pump price of one litre of gas could rise to RON 4.25 (€1).
This increase in the excise tax has an insignificant effect on monthly private electricity bills. At present, the excise charged for electricity is €0.42 per MWh, and will rise to €0.5 as of January.
Prices for poultry will rise 20-40 percent, unless subsidies are granted. Eggs will become more expensive in the cold season, but, according to producers, prices will not exceed last winter’s level.
The price of a pack of cigarettes will soar 11 percent as of 1 January 2010, also because of the RON 4.26 exchange rate for calculating the excise tax.
