In August 2024, Ukraine imported 166.3 thousand tons of high-octane fuel, which was a record for the past year and a half. As reported by TTS with reference to Enkorr.ua, the main reason for this was the increase in excise duty rates, which was expected in the near future. In this regard, Ukrainian traders actively purchased not only gasoline, but also diesel fuel and liquefied gas.
Gasoline imports from countries such as Romania, Greece and Moldova reached 87.2 thousand tons in August, which is 55% more compared to the previous month. In particular, 38.8 thousand tons were delivered from Romania, which is 34% more than the July figures. The main part of the fuel (35.7 thousand tons) was brought by rail and road transport. Imports from Greece tripled and reached 34,000 tons, which became possible thanks to the ability to deliver large volumes of fuel at once. The only direction where a decrease in supplies was recorded was Moldova, where 12.9 thousand tons were imported, which is 16% less than in July.
Western countries also played a significant role in the supply of gasoline in August: the volume of imports from this direction increased by 30% and amounted to 79.1 thousand tons. Poland became the largest supplier, shipping 28.4 thousand tons, which is 15% more than in July. 25.6 thousand tons were imported from Lithuania, which is 40% more than in the previous month, and supplies from Germany increased by 52%, reaching 24.4 thousand tons.
Most of the imported gasoline consisted of A-95 blends, the supply of which increased by 38% and amounted to 158.3 thousand tons. However, the largest increase was recorded for premium gasoline with an octane number of 98 and higher – its import increased by 59%, to 4.2 thousand tons. It is important to note that after an eight-month break, Ukrainian companies resumed the import of A-92 gasoline, of which 3.8 thousand tons were imported in August.
These indicators indicate that the Ukrainian market is actively preparing for changes in the tax legislation, and traders are trying to build fuel stocks before the expected increase in excise duty, which may affect prices in the domestic market.
