Serbia has significantly increased fuel imports in 2025, bringing in more petrol during the first eight months of the year than in all of 2023 and 2024 combined, while diesel imports have also risen sharply. Tomislav Micović, Secretary General of the Association of Oil Companies of Serbia, said the country still has the capacity to expand fuel imports further if necessary.
Micović explained that Serbian fuel suppliers began ramping up imports at the start of the year to supplement output from the Pančevo refinery. He noted that the main challenge is not a lack of available fuel, but the logistical effort required to move products through the supply chain. Constraints include transport capacity and the availability of goods at foreign loading points, while domestic petrol stations have adequate infrastructure to handle any imported volumes.
A potential complication may arise this week, as payment operations are set to be suspended at NIS-operated fuel stations. Micović warned that NIS’ share of market supply is factored into Serbia’s overall fuel balance, and any disruption could create a temporary gap. He emphasized that large volumes stored at NIS facilities must not become unusable due to payment restrictions, as this would increase reliance on imports. Discussions are already underway to ensure these stocks can still reach the market.
Regarding Serbia’s mandatory fuel reserves, Micović said the country has never activated them since their creation. He stressed that they should only be used once NIS fully exhausts its current stocks, which are still being released into circulation.
When asked how other oil companies would respond if NIS cannot continue supplying the market, Micović said there is no predefined contingency plan. Companies will adjust deliveries based on demand at their stations, supported by intensified logistics, without necessarily changing operating hours. He also noted that the current challenges highlight a potential opportunity to return ownership of the Pančevo refinery to domestic hands. While acknowledging that such a move would be costly and complex, Micović argued it could strengthen Serbia’s long-term energy security.
