Tunisia has raised domestic petrol prices by 5 percent, the third rise this year, to cut its energy budget deficit which has widened due to soaring imported oil costs, the government said on Sunday.
The price of lead-free petrol and two-star petrol rose to 1.100 dinar ($0.84) per litre from 1.05 dinar. The previous increases were announced in early January and in April.
Oil import costs have climbed in recent months, widening the energy deficit because it forces the government to spend more on subsidies to make fuel more affordable for the population.
A rise of $1 per barrel in imported oil prices adds 35 million dinars to the annual energy subsidy budget, according to the government.