The Azorean government justifies the adjustment in the maximum retail price with the “recent variations in the international market of reference prices for petroleum and energy products”.

As of 1 October, petrol will cost 1.536 euros per litre in the Azores, 3.8 cents less than in September.

The price of fuel has been rising in the Azores since March, by a cumulative amount of 12.7 cents, although there were no changes in prices in July and September.

The price of diesel is set at 1.420 euros per litre in October, a drop of 2.8 cents compared to the previous month.

The price has fluctuated a few times in recent months: it increased by 3.6 cents per litre in March and April, dropped by 3 cents in July and increased again by 4.3 cents in August.

The price of coloured diesel for agriculture and fishing, as defined in another order, also fell by 2.8 cents per litre in October.

The maximum prices of petroleum and energy products in the Azores are "changed on the 1st of each month and in amounts equivalent to the variation in the monthly European Price (PE) value".

On 5 June, the Azorean government increased the Tax on Petroleum and Energy Products (ISP) rate by 2.7 cents on petrol and 10 cents on diesel.