DUSHANBE, March 10, 2014, Asia-Plus -- Despite the lifting of the export duty on Russian fuels for Tajikistan, aviation fuel prices have not decreased in the country so far.

According to air companies operating flights to Tajikistan, Tajikistan tops the CIS nations in terms of aviation fuel prices – current price for one ton of aviation kerosene in Tajikistan reportedly now fluctuates from US$1,883 to US$1,900.

Meanwhile, Tajikistan’s antimonopoly agency says that before the lifting of the export duty on Russian oil products for countries that are not members of the Customs Union (Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia) that was introduced in May 2010 the aviation kerosene prices increased in the country and the export duty for one ton of Russian aviation kerosene delivered to Tajikistan reached US$396.20.

The antimonopoly agency has repeatedly applied to Fuel Supply Company in order to clarify the situation.

Representatives of Fuel Supply Company say that they purchased aviation fuel in December 2013 and January 2014 from two Azerbaijan’s companies.  4,964 tons of aviation fuel was purchased from Sament Management LTD at the rate of US$1,400 per one ton and 4,035 tons of aviation fuel was purchased from Milio International Limited at the rate of US$1,405 per one ton.

Besides, 5,000 tons of aviation fuel, purchased from Sament Mamangement LTD at the rate of US$1,330 per one ton, will arrive in Tajikistan in the near future.

According to the antimonopoly agency, the Fuel Supply Company representatives say they cannot reduce the aviation fuel prices in the near future.  “According to them, calculation shows that an average price for one ton of aviation fuel, with regard to all duties and taxes, will be US$1,850.21 in Tajikistan,” an official source at the antimonopoly agency said.

“Meanwhile, analysis of the situation shows that delivery of aviation fuel from Russia may result in selling price for one ton of aviation fuel in the country to US$1,430,” the source added.

According to the Customs Service under the Government of Tajikistan, 8,243 tons of aviation fuel was delivered to Tajikistan in January 2014 at an average rate of US$1,341 per one ton, which was US$484.00 cheaper than in January 2013.