Prices on gasoline to increase by 10-15% in 2006

In 2006 year the price for liter of Ai-95 gasoline will reach 20.5 rubles.

Experts predict that the prices for gasoline can increase at least by 10% for 2006. In their opinion price formation will be influenced by high prices for oil at world markets, and also by increase of demand on gasoline due to automobile stock growth.

By data of executive director of Russian fuel association Gregory Sergeenko, during 2005 retail prices on diesel fuel grew by 25.4%, on gasoline of A-80 sort - by 18.2%, Ai-92 - by 22%, Ai-95 - by 20.6%. The rise of prices on fuel along all Russia was analogous.

Meanwhile prices on gasoline will continue to grow next year. In opinion of Gregory Sergeenko this rise will be influenced by the same factors as in 2004 and 2005. "The main cause of prices` growth is rise of foreign prices on gasoline. It initiates increase of interior prices on oil and oil products", - thinks Sergeenko.

"Gasoline is a socially important product, therefore state institutions indirectly try to limit the increase of prices on oil", - said analyst in gas and oil sphere of "Finam" company Timur Khairullin.

Last year oil industry workers decided to freeze prices on gasoline in 4-th quarter after meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin. As a result prices on fuel increased only by 15%, while prices on oil grew by 1.5 times in 2005. According to information of Russian statistics average price on gasoline in Russia amounts to 16 rubles at present moment.

sections: Economics