Antimonopoly Service: Fuel prices rise at purchase, but no shortage at gas stations

Kyrgyzstan's Antimonopoly Service is monitoring the fuel market, acknowledging an increase in wholesale prices for petroleum products while assuring the public that there is no current shortage at gas stations. The service addressed concerns raised by the Association of Oil Traders, who noted that reserves of previously purchased, lower-priced fuel are depleting, leading to higher costs for new supplies.

"The rise in purchase prices for new batches of petroleum products creates additional pressure on the market. However, as of today, there is no shortage of fuel at gas stations," the Antimonopoly Service stated. To stabilize the market, the government is compensating fuel traders for the difference between the actual cost of fuel and the regulated retail price. Approximately 1 billion Kyrgyzstani som have been allocated for this purpose.

“

The rise in purchase prices for new batches of petroleum products creates additional pressure on the market. However, as of today, there is no shortage of fuel at gas stations.

The service provided specific figures: AI-92 gasoline has an actual cost of 111–118 som per liter, with a regulated retail price of 87.9 som, resulting in a state compensation of 23.1–30.1 som per liter. For diesel fuel, the actual cost ranges from 125–137 som, while the retail price is 99.9 som, with compensation between 25.1–37.1 som. Autogas costs 51–54 som, sold at 48.8 som, with compensation of 2.2–5.2 som per liter.

To illustrate the impact of state subsidies, the Antimonopoly Service calculated that for a car consuming 10 liters of gasoline daily, the average state compensation of 26.6 som per liter translates to roughly 266 som per day, or about 7,980 som per month per vehicle. The service urged consumers to use fuel more rationally, suggesting alternatives like public transport, cycling, or walking for short distances to reduce unnecessary travel and fuel consumption. Comparative data from August 19 shows AI-92 gasoline priced at 87.9 som in Bishkek, compared to higher prices in China (103 som), Pakistan (105 som), India (99.3 som), Turkey (124 som), Mongolia (146.1 som), and Afghanistan (106.9 som), with Azerbaijan having a lower price at 59.1 som. Diesel fuel in Bishkek was 99.9 som, while prices in other countries varied, with China at 91.2 som and Mongolia at 146.4 som.

“

Should we be driving so much?