Serbia has prolonged its ban on exports of crude oil and fuel products through April 2, Energy Minister Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic announced on Thursday. Officials said the step is intended to protect the domestic market from potential shortages and upward pressure on fuel prices associated with the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.
The suspension covers exports of diesel, gasoline and crude oil and applies irrespective of transport mode, the minister said. The previous export prohibition was due to expire on Thursday, and the new order extends that restriction to the beginning of April.
As part of the package of measures to stabilize the local market, the government will release 40,000 tonnes of diesel from state-held reserves into the domestic supply chain. In addition, authorities last week cut excise duties on fuel by 20 percent to help limit retail price increases.
Officials framed the steps as defensive actions focused on maintaining availability of oil derivatives and preventing sharp price jumps for households and businesses. The public announcement emphasized the temporary nature of the ban by specifying the new end date of April 2, but provided no details on potential changes after that date.
Context and implications
The extension affects all exports of the specified products - diesel, gasoline and crude oil - across all transportation methods. The measures are presented as intended to keep product volumes in the domestic market and to reduce the risk of wholesale and retail price spikes.
Operationally, the release of 40,000 tonnes of diesel from reserves is meant to bolster immediate supply. The 20 percent reduction in fuel excise duties, implemented last week, serves as an additional price-supporting action to limit increases at the pump.
Limitations of available information
The announcement sets the ban's new expiry date but does not outline any criteria for lifting or further extending the restriction beyond April 2. The government has linked the steps to concerns arising from the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran; specific triggers or thresholds for reversing the measures were not provided in the statement.
This report reflects the information released by the Energy Ministry on Thursday and does not add further details beyond that announcement.