Antigua Service Station Operators Push Government for Fuel Margin Increase, Cite 30-Year Stagnation and Rising Costs

PRESS RELEASE

Service Stations across Antigua have collectively petitioned the government of Antigua to implement a long overdue increase on the applicable margin.

Since the early 1990s, Operators have pleaded for a fair margin to be set, as the margin in place which amounts to 8% is not only unfair, but untenable. In our letter to the Prime Minister of 23rd March, 2026, signed by 21 service stations, we highlighted that this margin is well below what even food retailers get on price-controlled items, which stands at 15%, almost double what service stations receive. No business model can be sustained while being constricted in this manner.

We have borne this enormous financial strain over the past thirty years, while simultaneously weathering significant increases in cost of living and cost of operation over this period of time.

During consultations in respect of the increase on the national minimum wage, it was readily recognized that service stations were being placed at an even greater disadvantage.

There appears to be a wide misconception that gas stations are thriving and making big money. This is simply untrue. We are suffering and have been for over 30 years. We cannot bear this strain any longer.

We invite the government of Antigua and Barbuda to publicly share the fuel price build-up, which will clearly show that gas stations are not getting a fair yield.

We have had no response to date from the Prime Minister or any representative of the government. We remain willing to dialogue and work towards a speedy resolution of this matter. However, failing such, we will consider all options available to us.