Gasoline prices have risen sharply in Tajikistan over the past week.
The price of one liter of 92-octane gasoline in Dushanbe has risen nearly 10 percent over the past week – from 7.20 somonis on February 25 to 7.80 on March 4, with similar price rises in other regions.
Thus, the current price for on liter of 92-octane gasoline is 8.00 somonis in Khujand, the capital of Sughd Province, and 8.40 somonis in Khorog, the capital of the Gorno Badakhshan Region (GBAO).
Meanwhile, at the beginning of the year, gasoline prices in Tajikistan fluctuated from 5.80 to 6.90 somonis, depending on the grade of gasoline and the region.
Officials at fuel supplying companies said that the price hike had resulted from the rising cost of petroleum products in Russia, which provides the bulk of Tajikistan’s fuel imports. Russia currently accounts for about 90 percent of petroleum products imported by Tajikistan.
Besides, the gasoline price hike has reportedly resulted from the decrease in the volume of oil refining in Russia against the backcloth of the coronavirus pandemic.
Experts note that it cannot be ruled out that the rise in prices for petroleum products will continue this month on the eve of the start of spring field work.
Last year, Tajikistan imported 234,000 tons of gasoline, which was nearly 37 percent more than in 2019. 35 companies were engaged in delivering petroleum products to Tajikistan last year.
According to official statistics, Tajikistan imported about US$20 million worth of about 44,000 tons of petroleum products in January this year, which is 25 percent fewer compared to same period last year.
