Motor oil prices in Russia jump 40% amid supply disruptions

Russia's motor oil supply chain is under strain, according to market participants who spoke with the business daily Kommersant. While an outright shortage has not yet materialized, delivery times have grown significantly longer, and prices for certain products have risen by as much as 40% recently.

Vladimir Andreev, head of the service division at the online auto marketplace Fresh, said that some popular oil types have become unavailable altogether, forcing buyers to purchase whatever stock manufacturers had already shipped, often through resellers.

Both imports and local production affected

Other sources told Kommersant that the shortage is primarily concentrated in imported oils. However, some market participants also reported disruptions in the supply of Russian-made oils, which they linked to a shortage of imported additives required for production.

These sources further suggested that the disruption in domestic oil output could also be tied to unscheduled repairs at oil refineries, following a series of Ukrainian drone attacks.

Linked to the broader fuel crisis

Market participants also pointed to Russia's decision to permit sales of gasoline meeting older, less strict environmental standards amid the country's ongoing fuel crisis. Because this fuel contains higher sulfur levels, drivers using it in modern vehicles have been advised to change their engine oil more frequently to reduce the risk of engine damage.