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Russia is reportedly set to introduce a broader gasoline export ban in the coming days, raising concerns for major importers like Türkiye.
The move, aimed at curbing domestic fuel price inflation, would expand current restrictions that only apply to resellers by also including oil producers, according to three sources familiar with the plan cited by Reuters.
Although the final announcement is expected shortly—possibly as early as Monday—the ban is planned to cover the months of August and September, during which Russian fuel producers will be prohibited from exporting gasoline to most foreign markets.
Exceptions to the upcoming ban are likely to apply to countries within the Moscow-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU)—which includes Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan—as well as to nations such as Mongolia, with which Russia maintains intergovernmental agreements on fuel supply.
Russia is one of the world’s top gasoline producers, generating more than 40 million metric tons annually. In the first five months of 2025, the country boosted its gasoline exports by 25% year-on-year, reaching 2.51 million tons.
Overall, Türkiye is the largest buyer of Russian oil products as of June, accounting for 26% of total exports, followed by China at 13% and Brazil at 12%, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). In the crude oil segment, China leads with 47% of Russia’s exports, followed by India at 38%, while the European Union and Türkiye each account for 6%.
Official data from Türkiye’s Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK) show that in April alone, Türkiye imported more than 2.19 million tons of oil from Russia. This included 1.01 million tons of crude oil, 959,000 tons of diesel, and 84,000 tons of jet fuel—collectively accounting for over 51% of Türkiye’s total oil imports that month.
For the full year of 2024, Türkiye imported 32.2 million tons of oil products from Russia, accounting for over 66% of its total oil imports.
As of July 25, retail fuel prices in Istanbul stood at ₺51.33 per liter for 95-octane unleaded gasoline and ₺53.67 per liter for diesel. With Türkiye sourcing a large share of its refined fuel from Russia, any export ban—especially during the busy summer travel season—could strain supplies and exert upward pressure on local prices.
While existing bilateral agreements may offer Türkiye some room for continued imports, the overall tightening of Russian supply to global markets could heighten competition for alternative sources and create volatility in domestic pricing.
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