... the exchange price of AI-92 gasoline in Russia reached its highest level since the fall of 2023, and the price of AI-95 gasoline reached its highest point since the summer of this year. Prices increased despite government efforts to stabilize the fuel market. In particular, since August 1, Russia reinstated a ban on gasoline exports. The restriction does not apply to shipments under intergovernmental agreements or humanitarian supplies. The ban, originally set to begin on March 1, 2024, for six months, was lifted for a period from May 20 to June 30, and a similar ...

... supply chain from extraction to gas station sales, may prefer to offset wholesale losses rather than attract regulatory scrutiny. Seasonal Pressures Add to Market Strain August and September are traditionally challenging months for Russia’s fuel market. Gasoline consumption remains high as the holiday season continues, and diesel fuel demand surges with the start of agricultural work. Following the export ban, the primary tool to control gasoline prices is administrative regulation. Deputy Chairman ...

... lifting sanctions on refinery equipment supplies—a matter outside the jurisdiction of the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) and the Ministry of Energy. A Solution Through the Exchange Regulators can only enhance competition in the retail fuel market by increasing exchange sales quotas. Currently, gasoline quotas stand at 15% of production, and diesel quotas at 16%. Both should be raised to at least 33%—the minimum threshold at which exchange prices would remain below the subsidy threshold due to increased competition rather than subsidy loss ...

... aware that raising prices on the domestic market would be costly for them, as the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) monitors this and imposes fines for violations, regardless of the size and prestige of the companies. At the beginning of this week, gasoline prices on the stock market dropped almost by half of the previous increase. Moreover, they are now far from the highest levels reached earlier this year, in the fall. However, it is well known that in our fuel market, once prices at gas stations rise, they will only begin ...

... the inflation rate. Overall, the fuel market is performing better than could have been anticipated a year ago when Rosstat ceased publishing weekly data on gasoline and diesel production. At the same time, the expert believes that the surplus in the gasoline market will not increase in the coming months, as European sanctions on the supply of equipment for oil refineries will complicate the realization of new investment projects. Source: RG.RU