The country’s fuel shortage has stretched to roughly 50 days, with the wholesale price of AI-92 fuel climbing from 85 to 105 USD per tonne over the past month, the government’s fuel supply task force reported at a regular meeting on September 21.
State Secretary of the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources B.Dashpurev briefed the task force, established by Prime Minister’s order, on the country’s response to the crisis. He explained that the Ulaanbaatar Railway system currently holds a reserve of 79 railcars of AI-92 fuel, and a contract to import 8,000 tonnes of the fuel from China this month remains on track.
B.Dashpurev attributed the price spike largely to the deteriorating situation in Russia, where drone strikes have damaged oil refineries. He estimated that disruptions to Russian fuel supply could persist for two to three years, given the scale of repair and restoration work required.
To offset the shortfall, authorities are diversifying import sources. Mongolia has already brought in 2,000 tonnes of AI-92 fuel from South Korea, and officials are in talks to secure additional supply from Malaysia, Singapore and Belarus. A preliminary agreement has also been reached to import 20,000 tonnes of fuel from China next month, and all border crossings have been opened to facilitate imports.
The government’s policy is to hold the price of standard AI-92 fuel steady or limit increases to a minimum, officials said, while prices for AI-95 and diesel will continue to move according to market principles.
Distribution imbalances are also straining supply in the capital. Stocks of AI-92 fuel in Ulaanbaatar are running low as reserves are redirected to rural areas, and four provinces are currently experiencing delivery delays. Officials noted that Euro-95 fuel supplies remain sufficient nationwide, with the shortage concentrated in standard AI-92 grade. Businesses have been urged to build up their own reserves as a precaution.
Responding to public complaints over fuel quality, the task force said inspections and monitoring of fuel currently on sale would be carried out. Price data for October is expected to be released on September 25, officials added, as authorities prepare fuel storage capacity ahead of anticipated continued volatility.
