Gasoline and diesel fuel prices continue to rise in Moldova amid unprecedented oil price increases due to the conflict in the Persian Gulf - the National Energy Regulatory Agency
As reported by the National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE), military action in the Persian Gulf continues to have a significant impact on oil and oil product prices. Since the start of the armed conflict in Iran, Platts oil product prices have experienced accelerated growth of $161 per ton of gasoline (+23%) and $377 per ton of diesel fuel (+50%). At the same time, international oil markets are seeing unprecedented price increases. According to Reuters, the price of Brent crude oil exceeded $116 per barrel at the opening of the trading session on March 9, which was one of the largest daily increases in history. The price increase is due to a combination of factors threatening the global energy market, including: disruption of oil and oil product transportation through the Strait of Hormuz; attacks on energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf region; and uncertainty about the duration and possible escalation of the conflict. International experts believe that such events could keep prices high for an extended period, even if the conflict ends quickly, due to severely damaged infrastructure and logistical disruptions in the supply chain. A similar situation in such a short period of time was only observed in the spring of 2022, in the context of the start of the war in Ukraine. As noted by ANRE, for countries that do not have their own oil production, such as Moldova, these events exert direct pressure on fuel prices, given that the domestic market is 100% dependent on imports. At the same time, the existing mechanism for regulating retail prices for standard gasoline and diesel fuel in Moldova mitigates sudden market fluctuations and prevents oil companies from speculatively interfering in the pricing process through unjustified price increases. This pricing model was also applied during the energy crisis caused by the outbreak of war in Ukraine in 2022, demonstrating its ability to ensure market stability during such periods and a balance between the interests of consumers and oil companies, guaranteeing fair, transparent prices that directly correlate with developments on the international market. At the same time, the mechanism for daily monitoring of petroleum product stocks in the country indicates the average level for the corresponding period, sufficient to meet all daily consumer needs. On March 10, ANRE set the following maximum retail prices for basic standard petroleum products: COR 95 gasoline - 24.82 lei/liter (+28 bani); standard diesel fuel - 23.59 lei/liter (+72 bani). ANRE notes that it continues to monitor the situation and developments on international oil markets and assures consumers that the current mechanism is extremely transparent, guaranteeing maximum fairness in the formation of prices for petroleum products. // 09.03.2026 – InfoMarket
