Russia: explained situation with increase in gasoline prices

The rise in price of gasoline in Russia in 2021 could be caused by a decrease in ambient temperature. This is reported by Izvestia with reference data FAS.

other reasons for fuel rise have become an increase in export prices for petroleum products, a seasonal increase in demand for them within the country, as well as in Europe and Asia. Also, the FAS indicated to reduce the supply of fuel on stock trading, OPEC + agreement and on the growth of world prices for ferrous gold.

However, Alexander Masalitin, the general director of JSC “Oskolintesnab, disagreed with the arguments of the FAS. “In connection with seasonal demand or decrease in temperatures, the rise in prices, which is now on the market, could not occur,” he said. According to him, due to the growth of wholesale gasoline prices, many independent gas stations are forced to work at a loss and there is a risk of their ruin.

In the Ministry of Energy reported that the growth of wholesale gasoline in the domestic market at the beginning of the current year is primarily associated with an increase in external quotes for oil and petroleum products, and not planned changes in the excise component. Analyst GC “Finam” Sergey Kaufman, in turn, noted that the reason for the increase in prices is the imperfection of the damper mechanism.

Earlier it was reported that according to Rosstat estimates, from March 23 to March 29, the prices of H Automotive gasoline rose by 0.3 percent, for diesel fuel – by 0.2 percent. At the same time, from the beginning of the year, gasoline on Russian gas stations has already risen in price by 2.9 percent, diesel fuel – by 1.4 percent.

However, in the Ministry of Energy, the fuel price is considered unfairly low. “The actual price of gasoline AI-92 – 44.89 rubles per liter as of March 25, 2021 in the territory of Central Russia. Fair retail price without a damper – 50.08 rubles per liter,” indicated in the ministry. Fair market price of fuel inside the country without intervention by the state would be 5.2 rubles per liter above, confident in the Ministry of Energy.

/Media reports.