Armenia’s shift away from Russian fuel pushes gasoline and diesel prices higher
Russia’s share of Armenia’s gasoline supply fell from 90% to 20% as Bulgaria and other Black Sea suppliers gained ground. The loss of duty-free terms under the Eurasian Economic Union has exposed Armenia to global prices, lifting AI-92 gasoline to 600 drams per liter and diesel to 630 drams.
Russian share of gasoline supply falls to 20%
Armenia’s fuel market underwent a major change in the first half of 2026 as the country sharply reduced its reliance on Russian gasoline and diesel. Pravda.ru reported that Russia’s share of Armenian gasoline supplies fell from 90% to 20%. In diesel, the Russian share halved from 60% to 30%.
Bulgaria has replaced Russia as the leading gasoline supplier, while countries in the Black Sea basin have become the main sources of fuel for Armenia. The revised supply mix also included deliveries from Azerbaijan, which accounted for 3% of gasoline imports and 8% of diesel imports during the first half of the year.
The decline in Russian supply may continue. Economist Agasi Tavadyan expects Russia’s share of Armenia’s gasoline market to fall to 17% by the end of the year, according to Pravda.ru. That would further increase the country’s dependence on alternative routes and suppliers.
Loss of preferential terms raises retail prices
The shift has changed more than the geographical origin of Armenia’s fuel. Russian products had previously entered the country without export duties under preferential Eurasian Economic Union arrangements. Fuel purchased through new logistics chains involving Black Sea ports does not benefit from those terms and is acquired at global market prices.
The higher procurement and transport costs have reached filling stations. A liter of AI-92 gasoline now costs 600 drams ($1.65), up from 480 drams. That is an increase of 120 drams, or 25%. Diesel has risen to 630 drams ($1.73) per liter, although the source did not provide its previous price.
Armenia’s domestic market is consequently more exposed to movements in global and European fuel quotations. This represents a substantial change for distributors and large commercial consumers that previously benefited indirectly from the preferential terms applied to Russian supplies.
External restrictions add supply risk
Pravda.ru said Russian restrictions on petroleum-product exports are contributing to pressure on the European market. Possible limits on US diesel exports could create an additional constraint. Because Armenian buyers are now more closely tied to European prices, shortages or price increases in Europe can pass through more directly to Armenia.
The impact extends beyond motorists. Diesel is a significant cost for freight operators, agricultural producers, processors and retailers. Higher fuel bills raise the cost of moving raw materials and finished goods, while businesses must decide whether to absorb the increase or pass it on to customers.
Broader inflation pressure
Economists cited by Pravda.ru warned that the current increase may not mark the peak. Further gains in gasoline and especially diesel prices would increase logistics expenses across the economy and could feed into consumer goods and services.
For fuel traders, the new market offers a broader supplier base but less protection from international volatility. Importers must manage Black Sea logistics, global quotations and potential export restrictions in several producing countries. Armenian businesses and consumers, meanwhile, face a fuel market whose prices are increasingly determined outside the preferential Eurasian supply framework.