Ahead of the busy Christmas business season, the Carnival Operators’ Association is advocating for a reduction in fuel taxes for diesel. Albert Ritter, the association’s president, stated that their sector urgently needs financial aid, so that running rides, such as the children’s carousel, does not become an unaffordable luxury.
While farmers receive specialized agricultural diesel, the carnival industry demands its own dedicated diesel support. The association points out that, conversely, agricultural and forestry workers are set to receive a reimbursement of 21.48 cents per liter of diesel from the agricultural subsidy starting January 1, 2026.
Ritter added that many of the approximately 5,000 carnival operators who run markets, festivals, and upcoming Christmas fairs are struggling to bear the high cost of gasoline. He emphasized the intensive fuel demands of the job, noting that someone driving a tractor to the pump can quickly consume 600 liters. Consequently, the association leader found the Federal Government’s current limited fuel discount of around 17 cents insufficient for their business, calling it “less than a Band-Aid with a Mickey Mouse on it.”
