The tourist season and the harvest campaign have slowed down Kuban's exit from the fuel crisis.

The situation in the fuel market of Kuban has stabilized; however, prices at gas stations remain high due to the peak of the tourist season and the harvest campaign. The analyst believes that a definitive turning point in the trend will occur within a week.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", earlier the authorities of Krasnodar announced fines of up to 20,000 rubles for individuals for storing gasoline and diesel fuel in garages during a special fire safety regime. Commentators on Telegram responded by calling on the authorities to ban cars as well.

On the morning of July 26, 77 gas stations were open in Krasnodar. Some of them have restrictions: fuel is only dispensed into car tanks. Another 37 gas stations are not operating, reported "Krasnodar Online" citing the municipal management center.

The fuel situation in Krasnodar has become less tense. Previously, motorists had to wait for several hours in line, and hundreds of cars gathered near certain gas stations. Now, there are no long lines at most gas stations, noted "Morning South".

Lines at city gas stations have practically disappeared, and at gas stations with high demand, the number of cars has significantly decreased. At the same time, at some gas stations, owners allow fuel to be dispensed only into car tanks, prohibiting sales into canisters, the publication noted.

In the midst of the tourist season, the fuel market of Krasnodar Krai is experiencing a period of increased price dispersion, noted the consultant for strategic and crisis management, CEO of LLC "Vmeste.PRO" Olesya Berezhnaya.

"The acute phase of the crisis, observed in early summer due to a number of factors (drone attacks, the resort season, harvest work), is gradually subsiding, and the situation is entering a phase of managed stabilization. At the same time, it is important to understand that stabilization does not mean a return to previous levels of availability and prices," Berezhnaya's words were quoted by Krasnodarmedia.su on July 25.

The main factor of tension in the fuel market of Kuban remains the increased consumption of fuel, which in July exceeded last year's figures by 41%. The analyst believes that a turning point in the trend is expected by the end of July.

Berezhnaya noted that, according to monitoring data, the fuel shortage is between 20% and 40% relative to the balance of supply and demand. In her opinion, the reason lies mainly in the uneven distribution of fuel supplies during deliveries.

"In the most loaded coastal municipalities – Novorossiysk, Gelendzhik, Anapa – the deficit approaches the upper limit of the specified corridor, while in the inland areas of the region and in Adygea, the situation is calmer, and the shortage does not exceed 20%," she explained.

To avoid a repeat of the fuel crisis in the future, the authorities of Kuban should modernize the logistics infrastructure and diversify suppliers. This will help smooth out seasonal peaks, Olesya Berezhnaya indicated.

It should be noted that the fuel crisis in Krasnodar Krai provoked a sharp increase in demand for the installation of gas equipment (GBO). The cost of this service in auto services has nearly doubled, and service stations are booking clients for several months in advance. Along with the excitement, prices for propane have also risen.

Some residents of Kuban stated that they consider switching to gas the only way to reduce expenses. Others are convinced that the current crisis is temporary and will not lead to mass retrofitting of vehicles.