Gasoline imports for 2019 increased by 0.4% compared to the same period last year, while diesel fuel fell by 0.9%

Imports of petroleum products to Georgia in 2019 decreased by almost 0.3% compared to 2018 and amounted to about 1.1 million tons, according to the Union of importers of petroleum products of Georgia (SING).

Russia remains the largest fuel supplier in 2019 , followed by Romania, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, and so on.

Imports of gasoline in 2019 amounted to 544.3 thousand tons, and diesel fuel-551.7 thousand tons. Imports of gasoline for the year increased by 0.4% compared to 2018, and diesel fuel fell by 0.9%, the SING reported.

Statistics on diesel has improved

Statistics on diesel imports, which were negative in the first half of the year, have improved over the past five months, the SING reported.

"Imports of gasoline and diesel fuel had to grow, as well as imports of other petroleum products. This was mainly due to diesel fuel, since all the economic indicators that determine the country's diesel consumption have significantly improved. In particular, the car fleet has grown, transit traffic has increased (28.1%), infrastructure works, and so on, " SINGH reported.

The growth of diesel fuel imports, according to the SMNG, is hindered by unregistered products that periodically appear on the local market.

"As for gasoline, taking into account the growth of the hybrid type transport fleet, its consumption is increasing. The price of gasoline has historically reached a record high, but its import and consumption correspond to the economic and social realities of the country, which determine the level of fuel consumption, " the SING reported.

Fuel price

In 2019, 65.3% of gasoline imports are for regular fuel (A-91), 32.5% for premium fuel (A — 95) and 2.2% for super fuel (A-98).Compared to 2018, the share of imports of premium fuel increased by about 4% due to a reduction in imports of regular fuel.

Since the beginning of 2019, the price of regular gasoline has increased by about 16 tetri, and premium gasoline by 8-15 tetri. In 2019, prices for diesel fuel also increased: Euro diesel rose by about 16-17 tetri, and diesel-by 18-29 tetri.

To date, the average price in the networks of branded petrol stations is: super petrol — 2.68-2.78 lari per liter, premium — 2.59-2.65 lari per liter, regular — 2.45-2.57 lari per liter, Euro diesel — 2.66-2.79 lari per liter, diesel — 2.69-2.71 lari per liter. Current exchange rate: 1 dollar - 2.9 lari.

sputnik-georgia.ru