Since the beginning of the armed conflict in Iran, Platts quotations for oil products show accelerated growth of $161 per ton of gasoline (+23%) and $377 per ton of diesel (+50%).
At the same time, there is an unprecedented growth of quotations on the international oil markets. According to Reuters, the quotation of Brent crude oil at the opening of the trading session on March 9, 2026 exceeded the level of $116/bbl, having recorded one of the largest daily increases in history. The price growth is due to a combination of factors jeopardizing the global energy market, including:
– Disruption of oil and oil products transportation through the Strait of Hormuz;
– attacks on energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf region;
– uncertainty about the duration and possible escalation of the conflict.
International experts believe that these events could keep prices high for a longer period, even if the conflict ends quickly, due to severely damaged infrastructure and logistical disruptions in the supply chain.
Such a development over such a short period of time was only seen in the spring of 2022, in the context of the outbreak of war in Ukraine.
For states that do not have their own production of oil products, such as the Republic of Moldova, these developments put direct pressure on fuel prices, given that the domestic market is 100% dependent on imports.
At the same time, in the Republic of Moldova, the existing mechanism for regulating retail prices of standard gasoline and diesel fuel mitigates sudden market fluctuations and prevents oil companies from speculatively interfering in the pricing process through unjustified price increases.
This pricing model was also applied during the energy crisis caused by the outbreak of war in Ukraine in 2022, demonstrating that it can ensure market stability during such periods and guarantee a balance between the interests of consumers and oil companies by guaranteeing fair, transparent prices that directly correlate with international market trends.
At the same time, the mechanism of daily monitoring of petroleum product stocks on the territory of the country indicates the average level for the relevant period, sufficient to meet all daily needs of consumers.
Based on the above, ANRE informs that, as of 10.03.2026, the following maximum retail prices for basic standard petroleum products are set:
– 24.82 lei/liter – for gasoline COR 95 (+ 28 bani);
– 23,59 lei/liter – for standard diesel fuel (+ 72 bani).
It is not difficult to calculate that during the month the price of diesel fuel in Moldova increased from 20.23 lei on February 9 to 23.59 lei, i.e. by 3.36 bani. Or by 16.6%.
ANRE states that it continues to monitor the situation and developments on the international oil markets and assures consumers that the current mechanism is as transparent as possible, guaranteeing maximum fairness in the formation of prices for oil products.
