BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 23
Tamilla Mammadova – Trend:
Demand for automotive fuel decreased in Georgia, Trend reports via Georgian media.
From January through February 2021, imports of petroleum products decreased by 0.7 percent compared to the same period last year.
The demand for petroleum products has decreased in general around the world, and not only in Georgia, said the chairman of the Union of Importers of Petroleum Products of Georgia Vano Mtvralashvili.
"Sales in general have declined around the world, and, of course, Georgia cannot be an exception in this regard. The decline in demand in our country is associated with the "curfew ", distance learning and work, the stop of the tourism sector, and so on," Mtvralashvili said.
Oil products are delivered to Georgia by rail and sea. Traditionally, Russia remains the largest fuel supplier, accounting for 23.9 percent of all motor fuel imports. 38 thousand tons of fuel were delivered from Russia from January through February 2021.
"Over the past three years, Russia has been the largest supplier of gasoline and diesel fuel to Georgia. As for Azerbaijan, only diesel fuel is imported from there, and it is the largest supplier of this product," he said.
Since the beginning of 2021, prices for petroleum products - gasoline and diesel fuel - in Georgia have increased by an average of 30-35 tetri, the reason is the rise in oil prices on world markets, Mtvralashvili said.
"Due to the restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic, oil prices in world markets fell to record lows in March, April and May last year, but as soon as countries began to lift restrictions, prices for petroleum products began to rise and the process continues to this day," said Mtvralashvili.
According to him, Georgia is gradually returning to the same price as before the coronavirus pandemic.
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