Russia Extends Diesel Export Ban Through October
- Russia extended its ban on diesel exports for fuel producers until Oct.
- Since the summer, Moscow has repeatedly imposed restrictions on gasoline and diesel exports to rein in rising fuel prices and tackle shortages.
- Since January, Russian gasoline prices have advanced by 21%, driven by a sharp weekly jump that brought the national benchmark to 78.51 rubles per liter—matching $3.39 per gallon—effective...
Russia extended its ban on diesel exports for fuel producers until Oct. 31, the government announced on Sept. 17, adding further strain to a global energy market already rattled by ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Iran. The government press release stated the measure was adopted to maintain stability in the domestic fuel market, citing elevated demand for motor fuel during the harvest season.
Domestic Fuel Curbs and Refine Capacity Losses
Since the summer, Moscow has repeatedly imposed restrictions on gasoline and diesel exports to rein in rising fuel prices and tackle shortages. These supply issues have been heavily exacerbated by Ukrainian drone attacks on oil refineries. Ukraine’s military claimed in late September that it had knocked out more than 45% of Russia’s refining capacity. Fuel rationing has made a comeback across various Russian territories lately, serving as a response to dwindling supplies of both diesel and gasoline. Market experts previously cautioned that availability will stay restricted in large parts of the nation until autumn brings an end to peak demand.
Surging Prices and Parallel Export Bans
Since January, Russian gasoline prices have advanced by 21%, driven by a sharp weekly jump that brought the national benchmark to 78.51 rubles per liter—matching $3.39 per gallon—effective Sept. 14. Alongside the newly extended producer diesel ban, a separate diesel export ban for non-producers remains in effect through January. An export ban on jet fuel is active through November, while a total ban on gasoline exports is in place through January.
Federal Anti-Monopoly Investigations
As domestic pressure mounts, Russia’s Federal Anti-Monopoly Service reported on Sept. 17 that it was probing 58 instances of potential price inflation by independent fuel station networks nationwide amid ongoing supply deficits. Reuters contributed reporting to these developments.