(ANKARA) - Russia's ban on diesel exports also affected the Turkish diesel market. Fuel industry representatives pointed to the fuel trade between distribution companies and said, "Large distribution companies deliver the diesel (which they import) to their own dealers. Small distribution companies naturally have difficulty finding products. Additionally, we hear that distribution companies are increasing the prices of diesel that they wholesale (to construction and transportation companies)."
According to the 2025 oil sector report of the Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK), Türkiye's annual diesel consumption is at the level of 27 million tons. Türkiye meets a significant part of its diesel needs through imports. Russia is the biggest supplier of diesel. Türkiye imported 13.6 million tons of diesel in 2025. Russia ranked first with its share of more than 11.5 million tons. The total diesel production of refineries in Türkiye in 2025 was approximately 17 million tons.
In his statement last week, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandr Novak stated that fuel demand in Russia increased by approximately 30 percent compared to the same period last year, and that this increased the load on fuel stations and led to an increase in the number of vehicles and refueling times.
Stating that the situation in the domestic market is still difficult, Novak said, "Today, we have banned the export of diesel fuel and this will increase the supply to the domestic market."
Russia's ban on diesel exports affected the Turkish diesel market. Reliable sources from the fuel industry, in their statement to ANKA, stated that Russia's sudden cut in exports had repercussions on the fuel trade between distribution companies and said, "Large distribution companies (importing from abroad) deliver the diesel they import to their own dealers. Small distribution companies naturally have difficulty finding products for this reason."
On the question of whether the refineries in Türkiye were able to fill the gap created by Russia's export ban on diesel, the sources expressed the opinion, "The ban decision came suddenly. Importers (licensed fuel distribution company in this regard) need to turn to other markets and find products. It is not possible to meet the product that is expected to be met by imports from the refineries quickly and without creating a gap."
Sources stated that distribution companies also sell products to their customers, who are described as "eligible consumers", have a certain annual consumption and are licensed by EMRA, and said, "Who are these customers? For example, construction companies and transportation companies are included in this scope. We hear that the ton price of diesel sold to these customers has increased slightly."