By the close of trading on Tuesday, gasoline prices in Russia’s European region showed a decline of about two to four percent, while summer diesel fuel advanced by roughly two and a half percent. These movements are reflected in the latest data from the St. Petersburg International Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange, offering a snapshot of how the domestic fuel market is adjusting in response to policy actions and market dynamics.
Specifically, AI-92 gasoline slipped by about 3.9 percent, settling near 54.2 thousand rubles per ton, while AI-95 gasoline traded around 58.3 thousand rubles per ton after a roughly 2.4 percent drop. In contrast, summer diesel fuel rose by approximately 2.6 percent, reaching about 60.5 thousand rubles per ton. Liquefied petroleum gases (LPG) experienced a notable decrease of around 7.34 percent, with prices near 28,103 rubles per ton, signaling broader shifts across finished fuels and feedstock categories on the exchange floor.
The government has rolled out a set of measures intended to stabilize fuel pricing and supply. Notably, an export ban on gasoline and diesel was placed into effect from September 21, and as of October 6, policy adjustments were implemented to tighten the criteria for selling petroleum products on the stock exchange. These steps collectively helped bring fuel costs down significantly from recent peak levels. Independent analysts note that these policy moves have become the primary drivers of price behavior in the market, influencing expectations and the rate at which futures and spot prices move in response to new regulatory constraints.
There have been earlier regulatory actions, including a high-profile FAS lawsuit related to diesel pricing involving a subsidiary of Lukoil. This ongoing legal activity is part of the broader oversight landscape that shapes market confidence, supply chain decisions, and the tactical pricing strategies of major players in the domestic fuel sector. Market participants continue to monitor policy signals, exchange data, and regulatory developments as they assess potential changes to supply conditions and consumer prices in the months ahead.