The Russian government has enacted a temporary prohibition on exporting gasoline while simultaneously boosting the volume of diesel fuel sales on the domestic stock exchange. The decisions, signed and effective as of March 1, were announced via the Telegram channel of the Council of Ministers.
The restrictions are scheduled to run through August 31 and are intended to stabilize the fuel market amid a rise in demand. This period coincides with spring field work, the holiday season, and planned refinery maintenance, factors that typically affect supply and pricing.
The gasoline export ban will not apply to supplies governed by intergovernmental agreements, including those with EAEU member states. Additionally, exports by private individuals for personal needs and humanitarian aid are exempt from the new restrictions.
On the diesel front, the share of sales on the stock exchange will rise from 12.5 percent to 16 percent. Officials argue that this adjustment will help increase overall domestic supply and ease pressure on prices in the near term.
Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak stated that a ban on diesel exports was not being considered at this time, clarifying the government’s approach to fuel trade during the period of heightened demand.
Market analysts have been watching the policy closely. Economists have weighed potential effects on gasoline prices once the export restrictions take effect and on the broader balance of supply and demand within the domestic market. Observers note that the exemptions for intergovernmental agreements and humanitarian shipments may soften some of the anticipated price movements, while the enhanced stock-exchange selling quota for diesel could alleviate bottlenecks on the supply side. The policy is likely to interact with refinery maintenance schedules and seasonal consumption patterns, creating a dynamic that will unfold over the coming months. (Source: Council of Ministers Telegram channel; accompanying official statements)