Fuel retailers in Serbia have significantly increased petroleum product imports to counter the effects of sanctions on the national oil company NIS. Tomislav Micovic, Secretary General of the Association of Oil Companies of Serbia, stated that companies had prepared in advance to secure supplies and maintain stability in the domestic fuel market. He noted that while retail networks can meet current demand, wholesale storage facilities were originally designed for a market supplied by the Pancevo refinery and are not equipped to hold large reserves. Consequently, import channels have been activated to bring in higher volumes of fuel.
Statistics highlight the scale of this adjustment. In 2023, Serbia’s average monthly imports were 5,300 tons of petrol and around 36,000 tons of diesel. In the first eight months of 2025, these figures increased to 13,000 tons of petrol and 58,000 tons of diesel per month. Micovic explained that these larger imports are aimed at boosting commercial stock levels and ensuring resilience against potential supply disruptions. The Hungarian government and MOL have pledged additional fuel deliveries, while other retailers are also expanding imports and preparing extra reserves to protect the domestic market.
Despite the surge in imports, Serbia’s storage and logistics infrastructure is nearing capacity. While some further import growth is possible, measures are now needed to streamline and accelerate supply, particularly through improved logistics. Micovic emphasized the need for better coordination among the Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure, the Ministry of Energy, and fuel retailers, especially regarding deliveries by rail and barge. Enhanced cooperation would allow the system to operate at full capacity.
Micovic also highlighted that Serbia’s official Oil Market Crisis Response Regulation, adopted in 2019, had already identified the primary risks: disruption of crude oil inflows and a potential refinery shutdown. The first risk has already occurred, and the second remains a threat. Addressing these challenges now requires increased vigilance and coordinated action from all stakeholders.
