As reported by the press service of the Russian Ministry of Energy to RBK on Friday, an import subsidy is being introduced for diesel fuel. Under this mechanism, which is already applied to foreign gasoline, oil companies – fuel importers – will receive subsidies from the budget. The state will compensate them for the price difference compared to domestic market prices.
Read more Russia fined a politician opposing the war in a chaotic court session
This measure will allow for the rapid attraction of fuel quantities from abroad, maintaining the economic attractiveness of such supplies for importers and ensuring the needs of Russian consumers, said the head of the Ministry of Energy, Sergei Civilov.
Historically, Russia itself is one of the largest diesel exporters: about 40–50% of the produced fuel was exported abroad. For example, in 2023, domestic diesel consumption amounted to 52.2 million tons, and 35.7 million tons were exported, reminds economist Kirill Rodionov, quoted by The Moscow Times.
However, blows to oil refining plants, which caused oil refining in Russia to fall to a 20-year low, led to a nearly 40% decrease in diesel production – even more than gasoline, whose production decreased by a quarter.
Farmers from southern regions, where the harvest campaign has begun, complain about problems with diesel. Gas stations have set limits – 100 or 200 liters per person, while one combine uses 300 liters per one field work shift.
Read more Fuel prices in the capitals of the Baltic countries moved in different directions
According to Rosstat data, at the end of June, diesel fuel prices jumped 18.1% compared to the same period last year – a record increase over the past 15 years. In the southern federal district, the average diesel fuel price reached 110 rubles per liter, despite the fact that its export is currently suspended – for the first time since 2023.
It is likely that India will become a diesel fuel supplier to Russia, Reuters reported citing sources familiar with the situation. According to them, oil companies may turn to Indian oil refineries if the fuel market situation worsens.
So far, India has sent only two small batches of gasoline to Russia – about 100 thousand tons. Meanwhile, Energy Intelligence analysts estimate the shortage of oil products at 400–600 thousand tons per month.
Read more Three people shot in Denmark, including a police officer and a suspect
