Kazakhstan rejects gasoline export to Uzbekistan

The Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan announced that the ban on fuel exports remains in place, and gasoline is not being supplied either to Uzbekistan or to other countries. This was reported by the ministry’s press service.

The ministry recalled that in the spring of 2025, a surplus of AI-92 gasoline had been sent to Uzbekistan, as there was no storage capacity available. According to the ministry, the export ban has significantly increased the country’s fuel reserves. By early summer, AI-92 reserves had risen by nearly 70 percent, while diesel reserves increased by 78 percent. At present, the fuel market remains stable, with no shortages reported.

’’This is a standard international practice, which allows for the optimization of storage facilities and generates additional tax revenues for the budget,’’ the report said.

Kazakhstan banned the export of gasoline, diesel fuel, and other petroleum products on May 19. The restrictions are set to remain in effect for six months. According to the ministry, exports were completely halted starting in June in order to build up strategic reserves ahead of maintenance at an oil refinery.

On September 22, media outlets reported that Kazakhstan could once again face problems supplying fuel to gas stations due to illegal gasoline exports to neighboring countries. It was also noted that Uzbekistan had begun actively purchasing Kazakh gasoline at a time when imports from Russia had declined.

In September, Uzbekneftegaz stopped producing AI-80 gasoline. Starting from 2026, the company will switch exclusively to selling higher-octane fuels, AI-92 and AI-95.

Starting January 1, 2025, Kazakhstan introduced a ban on the export of gasoline and diesel fuel outside the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). According to the authorities, restricting the export of petroleum products beyond the EAEU allows Kazakhstan to load underutilized oil refineries through the processing of semi-finished products, reduce fuel shortages in the country, and curb duty-free deliveries as well as the re-export of imported petroleum products.