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The Russian government announced Saturday it signed a decree extending the prohibition on exports of diesel, marine fuel and gas oils by direct producers until January 31, 2027 inclusive. The decision aims to safeguard supplies at home amid ongoing infrastructure constraints and seasonal pressures, according to a cabinet statement. Exemptions will continue for certain shipments to global markets as well as under intergovernmental agreements and for humanitarian purposes.
Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak confirmed that the extension covers three months while selected suppliers to international buyers will receive carve-outs during November. Russian media quoted Novak as saying adequate stocks of winter diesel are available domestically to meet demand. He added that planned exports for next month stand at 2.15 million tons, with volumes in following months to be set according to market developments.
The curbs trace back to July 2026 when repeated Ukrainian drone attacks on refineries slashed processing capacity, triggered fuel shortages and pushed domestic prices higher, Reuters reported. A partial relaxation took effect in September allowing producers to ship some volumes while non-producers remained restricted until the new deadline. The latest decree keeps the overall framework in place to prevent recurrence of earlier volatility.
The International Energy Agency has cautioned that global middle distillate markets could stay tight well into 2027 as refinery outages and trade disruptions take time to resolve. Combined losses from Russia and the Middle East removed around 1 million barrels per day of diesel exports in recent months, market assessments show. The shortfall has driven retail prices upward, lifting U.S. diesel costs nearly 75 percent above year-earlier averages in some periods.
Separate resolutions ensure priority allocation for agricultural producers through the harvest season ending November 1 and for state institutions. Domestic consumption patterns and repair timelines at damaged facilities will shape how quickly exports can normalize, according to officials. Russia supplied roughly 10 percent of global seaborne diesel before the July restrictions took hold.
Novak had earlier signaled that monthly shipments could return to 3.5 million tons by year-end if internal needs are covered. The policy balances local requirements against international commitments, including a recent arrangement involving the United States. Monitoring of both domestic stocks and global prices will guide any further adjustments to the export quotas.
