Diesel fuel imports reached a record volume in November: who stood out the most

Author

Valery Moisieiev

Diesel fuel imports reached a record volume in November

In November, diesel fuel (DF) imports rose to 700,000 tons — a record since 2022. This represents a 23% increase compared to October. A total of 134 companies were involved in diesel fuel imports, 22 more than in October, according to industry publication enkorr.ua.

Why DF Imports Increased

Clearly, the main reason for the increase in DF imports, i.e., the increased supply of the product on the market, was the increased demand. Diesel generators, which have been operating at consistently high levels in recent weeks due to prolonged power outages, have also fueled demand.

The expansion of logistics capabilities also contributed to the increase in imports. In early November, DF imports through the Romanian port of Constanta were unblocked. Since October 1, the Energy Customs has been intensifying inspections of cargo from this port due to the large turnover of Indian and Turkish-produced DF. However, a shortage of available barges and high premiums are currently holding back rapid growth in volumes from Romania.

At the end of November, the import of DF through the Moldovan port of Giurgiulesti (located at the confluence of the Prut River and the Danube) was unblocked after a ban of just over two years. However, there are currently almost no customers willing to use this route.

According to the A-95 Consulting Group, in 2023, DF imports from Moldova amounted to 304,000 tons (approximately 5% of total imports). After the route was unblocked on November 21, only 179 tons had arrived from there as of December 7. Currently, the Moldovan port is not a competitor for Ukrainian ports due to higher prices. However, this could change at some point, and travel conditions to Giurgiulesti have improved significantly, primarily due to the quality of the roads.

What are the retail price trends for DF

Today, December 17, the average price for DF in the Kyiv region is UAH 58.47 per liter (range: UAH 54.95 to UAH 61.99). The price has been rising noticeably and steadily:

December 1 – UAH 56.99 (from UAH 51.99 to UAH 61.99);
November 1 – UAH 55.97 (from UAH 51.95 to UAH 59.99).

So, the increase in supply isn't offsetting the increase in demand. Or, perhaps, market participants are raising prices in concert.

Who is the leading DF importer

OKKO is the clear leader. Since September, it has been rapidly increasing its DF import volumes, reaching almost 115,000 tons in November. This is a record not only for the company itself but also for the market as a whole. According to OKKO representatives, the company decided to increase its wholesale operations this summer, despite low margins. OKKO's traditional supplier, the Polish concern Orlen, which typically does not have large additional quotas for Ukraine, also helped increase deliveries. However, in November, Orlen shipped a record 75,100 tons from its plants in Lithuania and Poland (up 15% compared to October).

The company also strengthened its relationship with Unimot, increasing purchases to 10,000 tons. Romanian fuel from Vitaro Energy added another 15,000 tons.

It is important to note that the importer imported its large volumes primarily by rail – 101,000 tons.

Top 10 DF importers to Ukraine in 2025, thousand tons

Source: A-95 Consulting Group

UPG is in second place. The company imported almost 70,000 tons—a personal record. The company is likely being forced to increase imports by the fact that it has now leased several dozen gas stations from the former Kolomoisky group, which need to be supplied with fuel.

AT Energo Trade has not yet fully recovered from the October blow. In August and September, it imported almost 100,000 tons, receiving DF primarily via pipeline from Slovakia. In October, these supplies decreased significantly, and in November, the company partially replaced them with supplies from Romania.

Wholesaler Payd increased by 38%, reaching 60,000 tons. This increase was driven by supplies from Romania. For the Payd/Eurostandard/Cantarella group, November's result also marked a personal record since 2021. For Gaztrim/Jetline, backed by AGTG SA, one of Ukraine's largest fuel suppliers, November wasn't particularly impressive (42,000 tons).

Western Fuel and Energy Company (WFEC) is gradually continuing its upward trend. Volumes increased from 18,000 tons in August to almost 42,000 tons in November.

WOG also broke its own record, with 39,000 tons (up 13% from October). Like OKKO, Orlen fueled their success, although the network delivered a train with a DF from OMV Petrom for the first time since September 2024. Another November record-breaker was D.Trading, with over 38,000 tons. This young market player is steadily gaining momentum – its best result in the first half of the year was 10,000 tons.

Martin Trade also had a good month, posting its second-highest result of the year at 27,000 tons (the only better result was in August, 29,000 tons).

Ukrnafta's result could have been better. This was due to poor coordination with the railway and with certain large clients. The company understands this and is strengthening its team.

However, not all companies increased their volumes. Kvorum-Nafta and TD Start Agro (Barvisti Rushnyky) saw a 36% decrease in shipments: 13,600 and 6,300 tons, respectively.