Moldovan Energy Regulatory Agency says events in Persian Gulf region influence international oil prices

Recent events in the Persian Gulf region have impacted international quotations for crude oil and oil products, following the opening of international exchanges on March 2, 2026. The National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE) today made statements to this effect.

According to the cited source, the disruptions reported in maritime transport through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic route through which approximately one fifth of global crude oil consumption transits, have led to a sharp increase in oil prices. International analysts estimate that, in the short term, Brent oil prices could remain on an upward trend, depending on the duration and magnitude of geopolitical tensions, as well as any potential disruptions to the region’s energy infrastructure.

Thus, developments on the crude oil market have immediately influenced the quotations for derivative oil products, including petrol and diesel, traded on the main international reference markets.

ANRE emphasized that Moldova was fully dependent on imports of oil products and that these external fluctuations also affect the level of retail prices on the domestic market.

At the same time, the Agency noted that the effect of rising international quotations would be gradually reflected in the prices set by ANRE and may be mitigated by their subsequent evolution.

“At the same time, in Moldova, the existing mechanism for daily capping of retail prices for standard petrol and diesel, by using the 14-day average of Platts quotations, protects consumers from sudden fluctuations and does not allow oil companies to intervene in the price-setting process through unjustified increases. Thus, the effect of rising international quotations will be gradually reflected in the prices set by the Agency and may be mitigated by their subsequent evolution,” ANRE announced.

Additionally, in order to prevent potential risks of supply of oil products for  Moldova, ANRE has established a mechanism for daily reporting of stocks held by importing companies, on the basis of which it monitors their evolution. According to ANRE, as of today, the total fuel stock of the country covers consumption needs and “does not currently present systemic risk factors for consumers.”

For March 3, ANRE set a price of 23.84 lei for petrol, an increase of 0.09 lei. At the same time, diesel is becoming more expensive by 0.15 lei and will cost 20.87 lei.