... and competition. For example, in the Moscow region, stations of the same network must be at least 20 kilometers apart in one direction, and a town with a population of 100,000–150,000 may have three to four stations. Profitability Drivers Retail fuel prices at gas stations include production costs, excise taxes, and operational expenses. Factors influencing profitability include crude oil price dynamics, government fiscal policies, wholesale petroleum prices, and operational costs. Taxes and fees can constitute ...

... demand reduction. By the end of February, exchange prices will likely begin to rise again. However, exchange rates and wholesale prices only concern industry insiders, while the population is more interested in what is happening in the retail market. Fuel prices at gas stations this year are behaving differently than usual. Traditionally, at the end of the year, DF prices would rise due to the switch to winter diesel varieties, while gasoline would decrease in price or, at worst, remain at the same level. This year,...

Sergey Tereshkin's Commentary for "Rossiyskaya Gazeta" In the article, Sergey Tereshkin analyzes why the ban on gasoline exports introduced in Russia in August 2024 did not lead to a decrease in fuel prices at gas stations. Despite the export restrictions, prices continued to rise due to several factors, including scheduled refinery maintenance, an increase in the key interest rate, and fluctuations in the ruble exchange rate. The impact of international oil prices ...

... between the domestic market and exports. Many are forced to reduce refining volumes or redirect more oil to crude oil exports, which may create risks for meeting domestic fuel demand in the long term. Fuel Companies and Distribution Networks: For gas station operators and fuel distributors, rapidly rising wholesale prices represent a challenge. Retail margins shrink if wholesale market prices rise faster than retail prices can be adjusted at the pump. Nevertheless, major fuel retail chains (including those of major oil companies) gradually raise retail prices, passing ...

... noted by Sergey Tereshkin, head of the OPEN OIL MARKET fuel marketplace, exchange prices for fuel have only an indirect impact on retail prices. Over 80% of gasoline sales occur in the off-exchange segment—shipments from refineries and oil depots. Fuel station prices depend more on taxes and oil companies’ costs than on barrel quotes. Off-exchange wholesale fuel prices generally follow exchange prices with some delay. For retail prices to respond to a decline in wholesale prices, even more time is needed,...