Prices for gasoline and diesel fuel in Russia continued their upward trajectory on January 17, with data corroborated by the St. Petersburg International Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange, also known as SPbmTSB. The latest figures show a sustained uptick across several fuel grades, reflecting ongoing market dynamics and adjustments in supply and demand within the country. Experts note that these movements are being closely watched by retailers, logistics operators, and households alike as they influence transportation costs and everyday budgeting. According to SPbmTSB data, the trend is part of broader volatility in energy markets that has been observed in recent weeks and remains a key factor for energy policy discussions and market expectations in both Russia and connected economies.
The most pronounced rise occurred in the AI-95 gasoline segment, which advanced by 2.15 percent and reached 45,948 rubles per ton. This increase marks a notable shift for premium gasoline, with traders and distributors recalibrating price structures to align with shifting demand patterns and refinery input costs. In parallel, AI-92 gasoline climbed by 1.58 percent, arriving at 42,938 rubles per ton as market participants integrated updates from refineries and distribution networks. These gains contribute to a broader premium-grade gasoline adjustment visible across multiple regional markets, signaling a rebalancing of pricing tiers in response to supply chain realities and policy signals.
Diesel fuel prices also moved higher, with summer diesel up 1.2 percent to 53,225 rubles per ton, while off-season diesel edged up to 54,610 rubles per ton, an increase of 1.13 percent. Winter diesel showed a more modest rise of 0.16 percent, reaching 59,555 rubles per ton. Separately, the price for a broader category of fuel climbed by 8.01 percent, reaching 14,752 rubles per ton, highlighting a pronounced sensitivity of certain fuel baskets to seasonal demand and refinery throughput variations. Market watchers say these shifts may reflect adjustments in inventory levels, regional demand, and transportation needs that influence how price pressures are transmitted through the fuel chain.
In contrast, jet fuel prices exhibited a softer trajectory, slipping by 3.82 percent to 77,652 rubles per ton on the observed day. At the same time, liquefied hydrocarbon gases, commonly referred to as LPG, decreased to 20,270 rubles per ton, down by 2.32 percent. These mixed movements illustrate the differentiated dynamics across fuel classes, with jet and LPG markets responding to a different mix of global demand, supply constraints, and regional consumption patterns than automotive fuels. Industry stakeholders monitor these divergences closely as they can influence transport costs, marginal profitability, and energy security considerations.
Earlier in the period, the Russian Federation’s Council of Ministers addressed lingering concerns about possible restrictions on gasoline exports, offering reassurances to market participants that export controls would not be enacted in the near term. Analysts interpreted these statements as a signal of stability in international supply expectations, even as domestic prices continue to reflect fluctuating input costs and policy inputs. This context helps explain why consumers and businesses should anticipate continued price sensitivity in fuel markets while policymakers balance domestic supply needs with external market pressures.
Additionally, industry updates noted that Lukoil suspended the operation of a refinery unit at its Nizhny Novgorod facility following a recent incident. The disruption underscores how single plant outages can ripple through regional networks, contributing to price volatility and shaping maintenance and logistics strategies for downstream operators. Market participants are watching how repairs progress and how alternative supply routes may offset temporary shortages, with implications for both wholesale pricing and retail availability in nearby markets.