OREANDA-NEWS Against the background of problems with gasoline production in Russia related to unscheduled repairs at oil refineries, Tajikistan faced a shortage of fuel and rising prices for it. This was reported by Reuters with reference to sources in the government of the republic.

They explained that Russian manufacturers had cut off gasoline supplies under interstate contracts, which provided a significant portion of the republic's fuel needs.

According to the agency's monitoring data, since the beginning of October, Ai-92 gasoline in Dushanbe has increased in price by an average of 3.68 percent, Ai-95 — by 3.54 percent, and diesel fuel — by 5.58 percent. The cost of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is also increasing by 5.81 percent. One of the sources said that there were still prices outside the capital.

Since August 1, Russia has banned and later extended the ban on gasoline exports for all market participants. However, the restrictions did not affect fuel supplied under interstate contracts, including to Central Asian countries, which historically purchase a significant portion of fuel from Russian suppliers.

In September and October, dozens of Russian regions faced various restrictions on the purchase of gasoline. At some gas stations, gasoline disappeared completely, others limited one-handed sales, and others raised prices, taking advantage of the lack of fuel from competitors.

In addition, as the head of the Union of Car Service Stations of Russia, Yuri Valko, said, gasoline was being diluted at some gas stations. According to him, gas stations are forced to resort to fuel fraud to keep prices down. At the same time, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak stressed that, on average, fuel prices in Russia are rising at the rate of inflation, and all emerging problems are being resolved promptly.