Competition Council to conduct in-depth review of Virši bid to take over four more Astarte-nafta fuel stations
Latvia's Competition Council has opened an additional review of fuel retailer Virši-A's plan to obtain long-term use rights to four stations formerly operated by Astarte-nafta. It will assess whether the deal would increase the incentive to raise fuel prices.
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Latvia's Competition Council, the authority that oversees fair competition in the market, announced on 5 November 2026 an in-depth review of a plan by energy retailer AS Virši-A, which operates under the Virši brand, to obtain long-term use rights to four fuel stations previously operated by SIA Astarte-nafta. The outcome will determine whether the deal can proceed and how competition in fuel retail may change.
What the council will assess
Using quantitative analysis tools, the council will check whether the merger would raise the incentive to increase prices of diesel, petrol and autogas in Latvia's retail markets. It will also examine whether the geographic market definition proposed by the parties is justified, and how important it is for consumers to be able to choose between different station operators.
Stations covered by the deal
The stations are located in Cesvaine (Madona municipality), Catlakši (Višķi parish, Augšdaugava municipality), Koknese (Aizkraukle municipality) and Jaunsaimnieki (Preiļi parish, Preiļi municipality). They belong to SIA Naftimpeks, which on 23 October 2025 received council approval to acquire ownership of 25 Astarte-nafta stations.
The council invites market participants and other interested parties to submit their views on the merger's impact on competition by 17 November.
Earlier steps and company data
The council received Virši-A's merger notification on 1 October. If approved, the Virši network would have 105 stations. The company has already completed the integration of 17 stations previously owned by Naftimpeks, including those in Eleja, Tērvete, Tukums, Dobele, Aizpute, Roja, Iecava and Jelgava.
Naftimpeks last year had turnover of 30.672 million euros and a loss of 2.164 million euros. The Virši-A group's turnover was 398.091 million euros and its profit 5.608 million euros. Astarte-nafta's turnover reached 57.953 million euros and its profit 8.959 million euros.
