DUSHANBE, October 23, 2012, Asia-Plus  -- Tajikistan has reportedly increased fuel imports from Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan and decreased fuel imports from the Russian Federation.

According to the statistical data from the Ministry of Energy and Industries (MoEI), Tajikistan has imported 273,126 tons of fuels over the first nine months of this year, which is 60,000 tons fewer than in the same period last year.

A total cost of fuels imported into the country over the report period was 307.312 million U.S. dollars; an average price of one ton of oil products was 1,125 U.S. dollars.

In January-September 2011, Tajikistan reportedly imported oil products for a total amount of 331.8 million U.S. dollars and an average price of one ton of oil products last year was 994.70 U.S. dollars.

Tajikistan itself has reportedly produced 489.9 tons of oil products this year, which is only 2 percent of the country’s annual requirements in oil products.  Experts say Tajikistan’s annual requirements in oil products are now more than 600,000 tons.

Russia now accounts for 50.4 percent of Tajikistan’s fuel imports, which is nearly 30 percent lower than last year.

Meanwhile, a share of Turkmenistan in Tajikistan’s fuel imports has increased – from 11 percent in 2011 to 18.1 percent.

Kazakhstan’s share in Tajikistan’s fuel imports is now 4.1 percent, 1.8 percent more than last year and Kyrgyzstan’s share has also increased – from 0.5 percent in 2011 to 1.1 percent.  Uzbekistan’s share in Tajikistan’s fuel imports has reportedly increased from 0.9 percent in 2011 to 2.6 percent.

Besides, Tajikistan has begun to import oil products from Belarus.  Belarus now reportedly accounts for 3 percent of Tajikistan’s fuel imports. 

The price of one liter of 92-octane gasoline in Dushanbe has risen from 6.40 somoni in June to 6.60 somoni, with similar prices rises in other parts of the country.