Russian Energy Ministry confirms availability of required fuel levels for agricultural sector

MOSCOW. July 13 (Interfax) - The Energy Ministry has confirmed the availability of the required amounts of fuel for the needs of the agricultural sector, the Agriculture Ministry said following a meeting with the participation of Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut.

"The meeting examined fuel needs to ensure the stable operation of crop production, livestock farming and the food industry, primarily for conducting seasonal field work, as well as for transporting raw materials for processing and delivering finished products to distribution centers and stores. The Energy Ministry confirmed the availability of the required amounts of fuel. Currently, the main focus is on the timely delivery of resources to farmers," the ministry said.

Currently, together with the regions and oil companies, work is underway to conclude direct contracts, determine regional operators, and assign agricultural producers to oil depots and filling stations. The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) continues to monitor the price situation on the fuel market and check the validity of changes in the cost of petroleum products, the ministry said.

Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev recalled that a temporary ban on exports of diesel fuel was introduced as one of the measures to strengthen the resource base. "On July 8, a ban on the export of diesel fuel was introduced. Diesel fuel is available in the system, and this decision was made to increase reserves and prevent panic," he was quoted as saying in the report.

As reported, the traditional surge in fuel consumption due to the vacation season in Russia in 2026 coincided with a series of unscheduled repairs at refineries. Against this background, restrictions on fuel sales at filling stations are being introduced in various regions.

On the St. Petersburg International Mercantile Exchange (SPIMEX), the price of summer diesel and gasoline is at high levels. The growth in consumer prices for gasoline in Russia, according to Rosstat data, is accelerating.

President Vladimir Putin, commenting on the situation at the end of June, noted that the current fuel shortage on the domestic market due to strikes on energy infrastructure is not critical, that refineries need to be brought out of repairs faster, and that an increase in imports of petroleum products should be ensured.