The liquefied natural gas (LNG), gasoline and fuel diesel prices have risen in Tajikistan this year. In Dushanbe fuel prices have risen on average 7.0 percent since the beginning of May, with similar price rises in the northern city of Khujand.
The price for one liter of 92-octane gasoline, which is the most sought-after grade of automobile gas in the country, has risen from 8.10 somonis on May 1 to 8.90 on May 23 (9.0-percent increase).
In Khujand, the price for one liter of 92-octane gasoline has risen from 8.0 somonis on May 1 to 8.80 somonis on May 23.
The price for one liter of 95-octane gasoline in Dushanbe has risen from 8.40 somonis on May 1 to 9.30 somonis on May 23 (7.0-percent increase), with similar price rise in Khujand.
The price for one liter of diesel fuel in Dushanbe has risen from 10.80 somonis on May 1 to 11.20 somonis on May 23 (5.6 percent increase), with similar price rise in Khujand.
The price for one liter of LNG in Dushanbe has risen from 4.0 somonis on May 1 to 4.20 somonis on May 23 (5-percent increase).
In the northern city of Khujand, the price of one liter of LNG has risen from 3.90 somonis on May 1 to 4.10 somonis on May 23.
An official at the Antimonopoly Agency says the price hike has resulted from the rising cost of petroleum products in Russia and Kazakhstan, which provide the bulk of Tajikistan's fuel imports. Moreover, those countries have reportedly limited sales in connection with sowing season.
“The fuel prices will begin to decline in August, when the sowing campaign ends,” the Antimonopoly Agency official said.
Meanwhile, it is to be noted that prices for petroleum products rise in September as Russia and Kazakhstan limit sales in connection with harvest season.
Russia provides the bulk of Tajikistan’s gasoline and diesel fuel imports – on average about 90 percent, while Kazakhstan provides the bulk of Tajikistan’s LNG imports – on average more than 90 percent.
More than 60 percent of motor vehicles in Tajikistan use liquefied natural gas as fuel.
