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Fuel prices

Turkmenistan Tightens Diesel Limits as Fuel Shortages Persist

Turkmenistan has halved the amount of diesel that vehicles may carry in their tanks when leaving the country, cutting the limit from 300 to 150 liters from August 10. The charge for every liter above the limit has also risen from 20 manat (about $1) to 30 manat (about $1.50). The move is the second tightening of the rules in several months. According to Chronicles of Turkmenistan, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov signed the relevant decree on August 5. At the beginning of April, vehicles leaving Turkmenistan were limited to 300 liters of diesel in their tanks, with a charge of 20 manat, or about $1 at the market exchange rate, for every additional liter. Enforcement was assigned to the border and customs services, as well as the state-owned concern Turkmenneft, The Times of Central Asia reported. The large price difference between Turkmenistan and neighboring markets creates an incentive to take fuel across the border. In April, The Times of Central Asia reported that diesel in Turkmenistan cost around $0.05 per liter, compared with approximately $1 in Uzbekistan, $0.60 in Kazakhstan, and $0.90 in Russia. Low regulated prices extend beyond diesel. In July, petrol in Turkmenistan cost around $0.43 per liter, placing the country among the world's cheapest markets. By comparison, AI-95 petrol cost about $0.68 in Kazakhstan, approximately $1.02 in Kyrgyzstan, and around $1.34 in Uzbekistan, according to Chronicles of Turkmenistan. Independent media have also reported persistent shortages of petrol and diesel inside Turkmenistan, particularly outside Ashgabat. In July, Turkmen.news reported large queues at filling stations and shortages of both petrol and diesel in the regions. The outlet also published documents indicating problems with aviation kerosene supplies at Ashgabat International Airport. One document from June 2024 said the airport had 2,500 tons of kerosene available, enough for only two to three days at prevailing consumption levels. By December 2024, another document showed reserves had fallen to 728 tons, less than one day's supply. Turkmen.news reported that problems with kerosene allocations continued into 2026. The situation is notable because Turkmenistan produces and refines its own oil. The country has two major refining centers, the Turkmenbashi oil refinery complex on the Caspian Sea and the Seydi refinery in the east. Petroleum products are supplied to the domestic market and also exported. Fuel shortages have occurred repeatedly. In 2024, eastern regions of Turkmenistan experienced serious petrol shortages. Drivers in the Lebap and Mary regions waited for hours at filling stations, while some stations imposed purchase limits. The shortage also disrupted public transport and contributed to higher food prices, The Times of Central Asia reported. The latest border restrictions add another element to this picture. Independent outlets have linked the limits to the wide gap between heavily regulated domestic fuel prices and prices abroad, which creates opportunities for cross-border resale. Halving the diesel allowance to 150 liters further restricts the amount that can leave Turkmenistan in vehicle tanks as reports of domestic shortages continue.

Fuel prices

Kyrgyzstan Moves to Contain Rising Fuel Prices

Kyrgyzstan’s fuel regulator has reached a new pricing agreement with retailers as higher import costs continue to strain the domestic market. The framework applies to AI-92 gasoline and diesel fuel. Liquefied petroleum gas is also covered. Retailers will follow an approved schedule for price adjustments and notify the Antimonopoly Regulation Service when suppliers change wholesale prices. The regulator will monitor the market and consider changes to the schedule when import costs shift significantly. The aim is to maintain supplies while limiting unjustified increases at filling stations. The measure comes as problems at Russian refineries continue to affect regional fuel markets. Kyrgyzstan obtains more than 90% of its imported petroleum products from Russia, leaving it highly exposed to changes in Russian output and export policy. Retail prices still do not include the full increase in import costs, the regulator said. A government subsidy program introduced in May compensates fuel importers and retailers for part of the difference between purchase costs and fixed benchmark prices. Without the subsidies, officials estimate that AI-92 gasoline would cost about $1.20 per liter and diesel about $1.32 per liter. As The Times of Central Asia previously reported, the government removed AI-95 gasoline from temporary price regulation and abandoned plans for maximum retail prices after supply problems emerged.

Fuel Supply

Kyrgyzstan Eases State Fuel Price Controls as Supply Shortages Persist

Kyrgyzstan has partially rolled back its temporary state regulation of motor fuel prices, removing AI-95 gasoline from price controls and abandoning plans to impose maximum retail fuel prices in an effort to stabilize supplies. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, the Kyrgyz government introduced temporary state regulation of fuel prices on May 25 amid continued increases in gasoline and diesel prices, driven largely by the country’s dependence on imports from Russia. The government had approved subsidies for imports of gasoline, diesel fuel, and liquefied petroleum gas through September 30, 2026, while setting benchmark import prices at $860 per ton for AI-92 gasoline, $940 per ton for AI-95 gasoline, $950 per ton for diesel fuel, and $575 per ton for liquefied petroleum gas. Under a new resolution signed on July 7 by Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Adylbek Kasymaliev, AI-95 gasoline has been removed from the list of socially significant goods subject to temporary state price regulation. The decision effectively cancels the state price controls introduced just two weeks earlier. It follows reports that AI-95 gasoline had disappeared from several filling stations in Bishkek. The July 7 resolution also abolishes the maximum allowable retail fuel prices established under the May 25 decree. According to the government, the changes are intended to ensure uninterrupted fuel supplies to consumers. The policy adjustment comes as Russia continues to tighten fuel exports. In recent weeks, several Russian regions have imposed restrictions on gasoline sales following reduced refinery output caused by Ukrainian drone strikes on oil-processing facilities. Moscow has already restricted gasoline exports and imposed a temporary ban on jet fuel exports. Kyrgyzstan remains heavily dependent on imported fuel. The country imports approximately 1.2 million tons of petroleum products annually, while domestic refineries meet only about 5% of national demand. Total annual fuel consumption is estimated at 1.6 million tons, with more than 90% supplied by Russia. First Deputy Prime Minister Daniyar Amangeldiyev told the 24.kg news agency that the government is actively diversifying fuel imports through negotiations with Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, European suppliers, Türkiye, China, Russia, Belarus, and Azerbaijan. According to Amangeldiyev, China has confirmed a contract to supply the first 3,000 tons of jet fuel to Kyrgyzstan, while negotiations are underway for an additional 5,000 tons of diesel fuel. The Kyrgyz government has also signed agreements with Belarus covering 3,000 tons of jet fuel and approximately 10,000 tons of diesel fuel. The reversal shows how quickly price controls can collide with supply constraints in a market still heavily dependent on Russian fuel.

Fuel prices

AI-92 Gasoline Price in Uzbekistan Hits Record High Amid Regional Fuel Pressures

The price of AI-92 gasoline on Uzbekistan’s Republican Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange has reached a record high, according to exchange data reviewed by Uzbek business outlet Spot. On June 29, the exchange price for one metric ton of AI-92 gasoline climbed to 13.919 million UZS, approximately $1,160, up 1.1% from the previous trading session and the highest level ever recorded. Since the beginning of June, the fuel price has risen by 11.8%, or nearly 1.5 million UZS, approximately $125 per ton. Spot reported that the sharpest increase came during the first week of the month. Between June 4 and June 8, the price jumped from 12.476 million UZS, approximately $1,040, to 13.788 million UZS, approximately $1,149, an increase of 10.5% in just four days. Prices then remained relatively stable at around 13.7 million UZS to 13.8 million UZS, approximately $1,141-$1,150, before climbing to a new record at the end of the month. The rise in prices coincided with a sharp drop in supply on the exchange. Available volumes fell from 3,791 tons on June 1 to 1,898 tons by June 23, nearly halving over three weeks. Although supply had recovered to 3,123.2 tons by June 29, prices remained at record levels. The increase comes as Russia experiences fuel shortages linked to unplanned refinery maintenance following Ukrainian drone strikes. Several Russian oil refineries have undergone emergency repairs after the attacks, reducing fuel production and tightening supplies across the region. Russia also introduced a full ban on gasoline exports on April 1. However, the restriction does not apply to deliveries made under intergovernmental agreements, meaning fuel exports to Uzbekistan are not directly affected. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Russia has discussed importing about 50,000 metric tons of AI-92 gasoline from Kazakhstan after refinery outages cut gasoline production by roughly 25% year-on-year by late June. The talks marked an unusual step for Russia, traditionally one of the region’s main fuel exporters.

Fuel prices

Kyrgyzstan Introduces State Regulation of Fuel Prices

Kyrgyzstan has introduced temporary state regulation of motor fuel prices amid continued increases in the cost of gasoline and diesel, which the country imports largely from Russia. The Cabinet of Ministers adopted a resolution introducing measures to stabilize fuel prices, ensure economic security, maintain uninterrupted fuel supplies, and support businesses. Under the resolution, the government will subsidize imports of gasoline, diesel fuel, and liquefied petroleum gas from May 25 through September 30, 2026. Authorities have established fixed benchmark prices for imported fuel: AI-92 gasoline: $860 per ton; AI-95 gasoline: $940 per ton; diesel fuel: $950 per ton; liquefied petroleum gas: $575 per ton. The difference between market prices and the state-established benchmark prices will be compensated to importers through government subsidies. At the same time, the Ministry of Economy has been instructed to introduce temporary state regulation of retail fuel prices by establishing maximum allowable prices. The Cabinet of Ministers has also temporarily lifted restrictions on fuel imports by road transport, although most fuel deliveries to Kyrgyzstan traditionally arrive by rail from Russia. The decision comes amid mounting pressure on fuel markets across Central Asia. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that by mid-May, Kyrgyzstan’s fuel reserves covered only around one to one and a half months of consumption, while the country’s annual fuel demand is estimated at approximately 1.6 million tons. Analysts link rising fuel prices across the region to higher global oil prices after tensions involving Iran escalated, as well as to lower refining volumes in Russia following Ukrainian drone strikes on refinery infrastructure. Kyrgyzstan consumes around 1.6 million tons of motor fuel annually and imports roughly 1.2 million tons, remaining heavily dependent on external suppliers because of its limited domestic refining capacity.

Fuel prices

Why Oil-Rich Kazakhstan Is Bracing for Higher Fuel Prices

Fuel prices in Kazakhstan are expected to rise significantly, according to Kazakh energy analysts. Although the country remains a major oil exporter and plans to expand its refining capacity, analysts warn that these measures alone will not resolve the structural problems behind rising fuel costs. Some Kazakh energy analysts have already described 2026 as “the final year of cheap gasoline” before Kazakhstan becomes more closely integrated into the Eurasian Economic Union’s common oil and petroleum products market. The situation is further complicated by the conflict in the Middle East, which has added volatility to global oil markets. For Kazakhstan, however, the deeper problem is domestic: low-regulated prices, refinery constraints, gray-market exports, and the rising cost of crude. Higher fuel prices also carry particular political sensitivity. The unrest that shook the country in January 2022 was triggered by a sharp increase in liquefied petroleum gas prices. Any new surge in gasoline or diesel costs could ripple through the economy, accelerating inflation and increasing social tensions. A Politically Explosive Commodity Kazakhstan’s leadership learned the political risks of fuel pricing during the January 2022 crisis, when protests erupted in the western city of Zhanaozen after liquefied petroleum gas prices rose sharply. Although the government quickly intervened and blamed unscrupulous suppliers, the protests rapidly escalated into nationwide unrest. Over several days, 238 people were killed, government buildings and security facilities were seized in multiple cities, and the country faced its worst political crisis since independence. In response, the authorities imposed a 180-day moratorium on fuel price increases, with some restrictions lasting even longer. Even then, it was clear that artificially suppressing fuel prices required substantial state subsidies, while the cost of oil extraction continued to rise. The “Last Year” of Cheap Fuel? Earlier this year, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Energy warned that domestic fuel prices would need to gradually move closer to those in Russia by the end of 2026. Officials linked the expected price convergence to the planned launch of the EAEU’s common oil and petroleum products market on January 1, 2027. At current exchange rates, gasoline prices at Kazakh filling stations remain roughly half those in Russia. A similar price gap exists with Kyrgyzstan, encouraging the unofficial export of cheap Kazakh fuel to neighboring countries. In practice, that means Kazakhstan faces pressure from both sides: raising prices risks public anger, while keeping them low encourages fuel to leave the country unofficially. The Energy Ministry insists that future price increases will not amount to “shock therapy” for consumers. Officials say the transition toward a common EAEU fuel market will occur gradually through legislative harmonization rather than through an immediate equalization of prices across member states. At the same time, the authorities acknowledge that the large price gap with neighboring countries creates strong incentives for gray-market exports of subsidized fuel, increasing the risk of artificial shortages inside Kazakhstan. According to the ministry, the current low-price environment also limits investment in the sector. Significant funding is needed to expand the Shymkent, Atyrau and Pavlodar refineries and,...