MOSCOW (Reuters) – The Russian government is considering a ban on diesel exports due to rising domestic prices, Kommersant daily reported on Wednesday, citing several unnamed sources.
Russia is the world’s largest exporter of diesel by sea, just ahead of the United States.
Diesel is the main export of oil products, with approximately 35 million tons per year, almost three-quarters of which are transported via pipelines.
Since a full EU embargo on imports of Russian oil products was imposed in February 2023, diesel supplies have been diverted to Brazil, Turkey, countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, as well as to ship-to-ship cargoes (STS).
The newspaper said the commodity price of diesel in the European part of Russia rose by a fifth to 62,000 rubles ($716.35) per tonne.
Wholesale prices are likely to rise due to high demand from farmers during the harvest season and maintenance of oil refineries.
Russia suspended diesel exports for about two weeks last fall but has resumed overseas deliveries.
Russia is restricting gasoline exports and will resume the ban on gasoline exports from August 1.
One of the sources cited by Kommersant said diesel exports could be banned if prices rise sharply, but no decision has been made yet.
Russia’s Energy Ministry did not respond to a request for immediate comment.
($1 = 86.5500 rubles)
