Petrol- Diesel prices: Russia has prohibited the export of petroleum products starting April 1. This decision implies that nations purchasing items like petrol and diesel from Russia might encounter difficulties. In fact, Russia has implemented this measure to prevent an increase in retail prices within the country.
On Friday, the Russian government declared a ban on gasoline exports effective from April 1. The goal is to prioritize domestic supply and stabilize fuel prices amidst the chaos in the global market due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia. On Friday, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak directed the Energy Ministry to draft a proposal for banning gasoline exports from April 1. This action is anticipated to last until July 31, as reported by the state news agency TASS.
Novak linked the “significant price fluctuations” to the “turmoil in the global market for crude oil and oil products resulting from the Middle East crisis,” while noting that the persistent strong demand for Russian energy resources abroad is a favorable aspect.
During the meeting, there was a strong focus on the objective set by Russian President Vladimir Putin to keep domestic fuel prices from exceeding projected levels.
Export restrictions have been imposed to manage rising prices.
Previously, Russia has enacted restrictions on gasoline and diesel exports to control escalating prices and ensure domestic supplies. Industry insiders estimate that Russia exported around 5 million metric tons of gasoline last year, which is roughly equivalent to 117,000 barrels per day. This accounts for a very minor fraction of the overall global trade volume.
This latest export ban arrives as the global oil market grapples with increasing tensions due to the ongoing war in Iran. The Strait of Hormuz, a crucial passage for energy exports from the Gulf region, has been nearly shut down since late February, further diminishing global oil supplies.
Russia’s domestic supply stabilizes
The government stated that crude oil processing volumes in Russia remained at last year’s levels, maintaining a stable domestic supply of oil products. The move comes after reports of gasoline shortages in several regions of Russia and parts of Russian-controlled Ukraine last year, due to increased attacks on Russian refineries and a seasonal surge in fuel demand.
The Russian Energy Ministry reported that oil refining rates remained consistent with March 2025 levels, maintaining stable domestic supplies. Furthermore, industry players have sufficient reserves of gasoline and diesel to meet domestic demand, and refinery capacity utilization is high.
