Kosovo's Pestova Faces Fuel Crunch

0:00It's March 30th. This is Global News Today, powered by AI, Your World, in real time. I'm Cory with the Story. Kosovo's snack giant Pestova, a top potato chip maker exporting to over 23 countries, is getting slammed by skyrocketing fuel prices. Manager Kushtrim Ozbazi says, the jump stems from tensions in Iran, hitting their 90 acres of fields and distribution hard, right as spring planting, kicks off. Fuel costs shot up from 1-year-old 10 cents to 1-year-old 70 cents per liter, with no local production and importers capping profits at 12%. Percent. Diesel powers their farms and trucks, and fertilizer prices are climbing too, forcing the team to crunch every extra expense. Advisee is pushing the government for relief, warning they might hide chip prices if this drags on. Unlike neighbors like Romania, Hungary, and Serbia offering farmers cheat diesel or tax breaks, Kosovo leaders haven't moved, despite experts like, CYFET GURTS HALLU, saying every sector

1:01feels the pain. Exports make up 40% of their output, but fixed prices need 90 days notice to change, messing up planning. Every day folks like IT worker Bard Mematie, in Pristina, now drop 100 euros on a tank, up from 80, eyeing electric cars to cope. With Kosovo's economy still shaky from independent struggles, political gridlock, and no full government last year, opposition voices are demanding. Quick tax cuts to shield businesses and citizens from this fuel crunch.