Twenty-one service station operators across Antigua have jointly petitioned the government to increase the fuel retail margin, calling the current rate unsustainable after more than three decades without adjustment.
In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister on March 23, 2026, the operators argued that the existing 8% margin is both unfair and untenable. By comparison, food retailers on price-controlled items receive a 15% margin — nearly double what service stations currently earn. The operators say no viable business model can function under such constraints.
The group says the financial strain has been compounded by significant increases in the cost of living and the cost of operations over the past thirty years. The recent national minimum wage consultations brought the issue into sharper focus, with service stations identified as being placed at an even greater disadvantage as a result of the wage increase.
The operators are pushing back against what they describe as a widespread public misconception that gas stations are profitable. "We are suffering and have been for over 30 years," the group stated. "We cannot bear this strain any longer."
The operators are calling on the government to publicly release the fuel price build-up, arguing it would demonstrate clearly that service stations are not receiving a fair yield on fuel sales.
As of the date of their statement, the operators said they had received no response from the Prime Minister or any government representative. While they expressed willingness to engage in dialogue and reach a resolution, they warned that all available options remain on the table should the government fail to act.
