BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 23. Azerbaijan reduced imports of high-octane gasoline in 2022 compared to 2021, Trend reports.
The data of Argus agency shows that a total of 100,300 tons of RON-95 gasoline and 1,800 tons of RON-98 were imported in 2022. These figures amounted to 148,400 tons and 2,900 tons, respectively, in 2021.
Local consumers preferred the cheaper RON-92 against the background of a twofold difference in gas station prices for RON-92 and RON-95 gasoline, which significantly limited the demand for a high-octane product. More than two-thirds of RON-95 purchases came from Russian factories that shipped 73,700 tons to Azerbaijan by rail.
The rest of the volume came from Bulgaria, Romania, Turkmenistan and Belarus. RON-98 shipments were delivered to Azerbaijan from Russia and Romania.
Moreover, deliveries from Romania and Bulgaria are carried out by rail in transit through Georgia.
Trading companies refused to ship fuel by sea through the Volga-Don Shipping Channel due to the insecurity of navigation in the eastern part of the Black and Azov Seas last year.
The transportation of petroleum products to Azerbaijan increased by more than 90 percent in 2022 compared to the previous year. The largest increase occurred in the supply of RON-92 gasoline in connection with repair work at the Baku Oil Refinery. The transportation of imported shipments to Azerbaijan may decrease against the background of stable production at the Baku plant this year.