The Federal Anti-Monopoly Service of the Russian Federation has put forward a proposal to raise the minimum share of gasoline and diesel fuel that must be traded on the exchange to no less than 15 percent. This stance was presented in the Federation Council by Elena Tsyshevskaya, who leads the FAS department responsible for regulating the fuel and energy complex and the chemical industry. The update reflects ongoing concerns about market balance and price stability within Russia’s energy sector, and it underscores a broader push toward greater transparency in how fuel is priced and traded across multiple channels.
According to the proposal, the exchange segment should account for about 20 percent of overall sales to keep prices at levels that are predictable for both buyers and sellers. The department emphasizes that these conclusions are based on detailed analytical work, and that the Energy Ministry has expressed alignment with this position in principle. At present, the minimum share for gasoline has been raised to 13 percent, while diesel sits at 9.5 percent. The department argues that gasoline should ideally reach 15 percent or more, with diesel following a similar proportion to maintain parity between the fuels in the exchange market and other sales avenues. This stance aims to reduce volatility and ensure that price signals are more reflective of true supply and demand dynamics rather than being driven by narrow trading windows.
News reports indicate that on Thursday, wholesale prices for gasoline and diesel continued their downward trajectory after a period of strength earlier in the week. Data from the St. Petersburg International Commodity Exchange show that AI-92 gasoline fell by about 5.74 percent, trading around 61,883 rubles per ton. AI-95 followed with a decrease of roughly 3.97 percent, settling near 66,521 rubles per ton. The price of summer diesel declined by slightly more than 2 percent, hovering around 71,869 rubles per ton. This movement reflects a broader pattern of price adjustment as market participants respond to regulatory signals and the evolving framework for energy trading in the region.
The wider price trend appears to be influenced by public declarations from government authorities advocating tighter regulation of the fuel market. In previous weeks, the government introduced temporary export restrictions on gasoline and diesel, signaling a deliberate policy shift toward more controlled pricing and distribution mechanisms. Market observers have noted that these measures can create short-term price relief in some segments while potentially limiting export incentives for producers. The net effect is a market environment where operators look for greater clarity and consistency in policy, which in turn feeds into wholesale and retail pricing strategies across the country.
In discussions before the current policy changes, members of the State Duma highlighted that certain price increases observed in recent periods might prove temporary as regulatory actions unfold. The overarching message from lawmakers and regulators is that stabilizing supply chains, ensuring fair competition, and establishing enforceable rules for trading will help curb excessive volatility and protect consumer interests over the longer term. As the energy market continues to adapt to these measures, observers in Canada, the United States, and other major markets are watching how Russia balances market freedoms with oversight, and how these dynamics might influence global energy prices and trade flows in the coming months.