---
title: "Oil has crashed, but gasoline prices remain high: why inertia persists at Ukrainian gas stations"
description: "Global oil prices have crashed to a March low, but gasoline at Ukrainian gas stations is not yet getting cheaper. Experts explain this with physical fuel reserves at old prices and networks operating at break-even. 🛢️📉"
date: 2026-06-18T14:04:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/oil-crashed-but-gasoline-prices-remain-high-why-inertia-persists-at-ukrainian-gas-stations
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Oil has crashed, but gasoline prices remain high: why inertia persists at Ukrainian gas stations

![Collage featuring a gas station, oil rig, oil barrels, fuel nozzle, and fuel tank, illustrating the topic of stable gasoline prices despite falling oil prices](https://xab.info/media/2026/06/18/neft-ruhnula-no-benzin-ne-deveshveet-prichiny-nercii-cen-na-azs/neft-ruhnula-no-benzin-ne-deveshveet-prichiny-nercii-cen-na-azs-1.webp)

The global energy market is experiencing a significant correction. Brent crude futures have fallen to $77.96 per barrel, while the American WTI grade has dropped to $74.96. This marks the lowest level since March. The sharp decline was triggered by the signing of a deal between the US and Iran to cease hostilities, which calmed investors and reduced the geopolitical premium on fuel.

For Ukraine, these figures have direct implications. Pavlo Kyrylenko, Head of the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (AMCU), stated that a 17% drop in global indices is a direct signal for retail networks. According to him, retailers have no grounds to delay revising their price tags.

However, the reality at gas stations does not yet reflect the regulator's optimism. Why, despite cheaper oil, do fuel costs at the pump remain high? Experts call this phenomenon "market inertia".

### Diesel is already getting cheaper, but not everywhere

The situation regarding different fuel types is uneven. Serhiy Kuyun, director of the consulting group "A-95" and a fuel sector expert, notes that the real price of diesel fuel is already showing a downward trend. From peak values at the end of April and early May, the cost has dropped by 10 hryvnias per liter.

Wholesale prices for fresh batches of fuel, tied to new global quotes, are currently around 60–63 hryvnias. The problem is that gas stations physically hold fuel purchased under old, more expensive contracts several weeks ago. The cost of these reserves is 70–72 hryvnias per liter.

Fuel networks cannot sell products at a loss. Therefore, retail prices are only decreasing as old batches are sold off. Once the tanks are emptied and refilled with new, cheaper diesel, the price for the consumer will change.

### Gasoline: breaking even

The situation with gasoline is different. Wholesale prices for this fuel type have stabilized and are not showing such a sharp drop as diesel. Today, the average retail price at gas stations is 75 hryvnias per liter, with a wholesale cost of around 72 hryvnias.

According to Kuyun, the 3-hryvnia margin only covers the operating expenses of the gas stations. In fact, companies are working "at zero," making no super-profits but also not losing money. In this segment, the market has already reached a certain equilibrium.

### Balance will be restored naturally

Experts are confident that the market will self-regulate. As soon as logistics chains are updated and gas stations are filled with fuel at new, reduced prices, retail price tags will align with reality.

"Everyone wants low prices. Low prices mean sales, which means demand will recover. No one is interested in selling at 80–90 hryvnias per liter. Therefore, everything will come into balance," summarized Serhiy Kuyun.