Russia Expands Antitrust Probe Into Fuel Retailers

According to The Moscow Times, citing Interfax, the six companies collectively operate 25 filling stations in the Moscow region and are suspected of engaging in coordinated pricing practices that may violate Russia’s antitrust laws. The report was written by The Moscow Times staff and published on July 6.

The latest cases represent an expansion of the regulator’s recent scrutiny of Russia’s fuel sector. In recent weeks, FAS has also initiated separate investigations into wholesale fuel traders over suspected cartel activity and requested pricing information from major fuel retailers as authorities examine whether recent increases in gasoline prices reflect legitimate market conditions or unlawful coordination.

The regulatory actions come as Russia faces mounting disruptions to fuel supplies following repeated Ukrainian drone attacks on oil refineries and related energy infrastructure. Those disruptions have contributed to shortages in several regions, prompting authorities to introduce fuel rationing measures and other emergency responses in parts of the country.

According to The Moscow Times, average retail gasoline prices across Russia had risen 11.6% since the beginning of the year, reaching 72.38 rubles per liter by late June. The publication reported that investigators believe the six Moscow-region operators may have simultaneously raised retail prices in violation of competition rules.

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FAS also announced additional enforcement measures outside the Moscow region. According to The Moscow Times, the agency issued a formal warning to a gas station chain holding a dominant position in the Engelssky district of Russia’s Saratov region, ordering it to reverse what regulators described as excessive price increases by July 31.

Separately, regulators accused three wholesale fuel distributors in the Orenburg region of colluding to inflate diesel prices in the wholesale market, although it was not immediately clear whether formal charges would follow.

The investigations underscore the increasingly prominent role competition authorities are playing as policymakers attempt to contain the economic effects of supply disruptions. Russia’s Federal Anti-Monopoly Service is responsible for enforcing the country’s competition laws, including investigations into cartel agreements, abuse of market dominance and other practices that may restrict competition.

Recent enforcement activity has focused on determining whether fuel price increases are attributable solely to supply constraints or whether some market participants have taken advantage of shortages through anti-competitive conduct. Earlier inquiries targeted major fuel traders and requested detailed pricing data from large retail chains operating around Moscow.

The broader fuel market remains under significant pressure. Reuters has reported that independent filling stations in some regions have pushed gasoline prices above 100 rubles per liter as supply shortages intensified, while vertically integrated oil companies have generally maintained lower prices under informal understandings with regulators aimed at limiting inflationary pressures. The resulting price gap has contributed to long queues and temporary closures at some stations after fuel supplies were exhausted.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has publicly acknowledged that the country is experiencing what he described as “a certain shortage” of fuel, while government officials have said measures are being taken to stabilize supplies. Reuters has reported that production of gasoline has lagged domestic consumption since May as refinery outages reduced available supply.

Source: The Moscow Times