Authorities prohibit exporting petroleum products to oil corporations.
In a bid to maintain a stable domestic fuel market, Russia has implemented a full ban on gasoline exports by oil producers, effective until August 31, 2025. This decisive move comes in response to soaring domestic gasoline prices and concerns over potential fuel shortages.
The ban, which is stricter than previous measures, now includes oil companies producing petroleum products. Previously, only non-producers such as traders and small refineries were restricted. Exemptions have been made for deliveries to allied countries within the Eurasian Economic Union and some others like Mongolia, based on intergovernmental agreements. These deliveries continue without interruption.
The decision was prompted by rising wholesale prices in Russia. Ai-95 gasoline reached record highs of about $926 per metric ton on the St. Petersburg commodity exchange. Concerns over domestic fuel shortages related to temporary shutdowns and maintenance at major refineries like Astrakhan, Gazprom’s Surgut, Rosneft’s Kuibyshev, and Samara plants also played a significant role.
Despite earlier export restrictions since March 2024 and tightened controls allowing only producers to export gasoline since December 2024, Russian gasoline exports rose sharply (by 25% in the first five months of 2025). This likely contributed to the decision to impose the full ban on producers this summer.
The UK ranks third in Europe in terms of gasoline affordability, with the average salary able to buy 2,500 liters. Norway, Austria, and Ireland are also in the top 5, with the average monthly salary able to buy more than 2,200 liters of fuel. Luxembourg ranks first, with the average salary able to buy over 2,800 liters.
This move by Russia is aimed at stabilizing its domestic gasoline supply and prices amid production disruptions and external sanctions impacting refinery operations and fuel markets. The decision was made to maintain a stable situation in the domestic fuel market during high seasonal demand and the agricultural field work period.
The full ban on gasoline exports by oil producers in Russia, effective until August 31, 2025, is not only applying to oil companies producing petroleum products but also extends to previous restrictions on traders and small refineries. Exemptions from the ban are granted for deliveries to allied countries within the Eurasian Economic Union and some others, like Mongolia, based on intergovernmental agreements.
The rising wholesale prices in Russia's finance industry, evidenced by Ai-95 gasoline reaching record highs of about $926 per metric ton on the St. Petersburg commodity exchange, has exacerbated concerns over energy security and potential fuel shortages in the industry.
