Fuel prices in Damascus and its suburbs are fluctuating between stations and vendors, especially those spread across public roads on the sidewalks, forming a parallel fuel market.
The interim government in Damascus has set the prices of petroleum products in US dollars, making them subject to fluctuations based on the exchange rate of the pound.
The prices of oil derivatives in Syria are determined as follows, according to what the Syrian Ministry of Oil mentioned to Enab Baladi:
- A liter of diesel at a price of $0.95.
- A liter of Octane 90 gasoline at a price of $1.1.
- A liter of Octane 95 gasoline at a price of $1.23.
- A domestic gas cylinder at a price of $18.8.
During a round of vendors scattered along the roads, Enab Baladi monitored the prices of gasoline and diesel in various types, most of which is smuggled from Lebanese territories.
The price of one liter of smuggled Octane 95 gasoline from Lebanon reached 11,600 Syrian pounds, equivalent to $0.89, while the price of Sadcop diesel reached 10,000 pounds, equivalent to $0.76.
However, determining the price accurately is difficult due to the varying sizes of containers without a clear measure of the number of liters they contain.
Hassan Abu al-Wafa, a gasoline vendor on the southern ring road in Damascus, stated that most of the gasoline currently found on the roads comes from Lebanon, via smuggling routes in the border areas of rural Damascus.
Gasoline containers prepared for sale on the Mezzeh highway – February 10, 2025 (Enab Baladi/Omar Alaa Eldin)
The vendor considered the gasoline he offers to be “cleaner and of better quality” than the gasoline found at official sales stations, and the price he presents for what he sells is competitive with what those stations offer.
Self-organization and pricing chaos
While searching for fuel prices circulating in the Syrian markets, a Facebook page called “Damascus Fuels” appeared.
This page provides the fuel prices listed for each station in Damascus and its suburbs individually.
Mohamed Abdul Rahman, the founder and director of the page, stated that he is engaging in this volunteer effort to clarify fuel pricing for Syrians, so that people are aware of the pricing at each fuel station, especially since most stations rely on their own sources for importation, which causes variability between one location and another in the pricing of petroleum products in Syrian pounds.
The page issues a daily bulletin with the names of the fuel stations located in the Damascus region and their pricing for gasoline and diesel, and notes whether the station charges in dollars.
Abdul Rahman identified two reasons behind the fluctuating prices: First, the government does not want to pressure fuel sellers on the streets, as this is a source of livelihood for many in light of the difficult economic conditions. Second, the open market naturally creates price differences between traders.
Regarding the sources of fuel circulating in the market, Abdul Rahman said that most of the goods found in the streets are smuggled from Lebanon and are traded by people due to their low price. However, some stations manipulate the fuel by mixing the smuggled products from Lebanon with those from refining companies or across the borders, and these stations sell at a price lower than the price set by the government.
He noted that there is strong movement in buying and selling in the sector, especially since the market is thirsty for fuel.
The stance of the Ministry of Oil
Ahmad Suleiman, Director of Public Relations at the Syrian Ministry of Oil, told Enab Baladi that the ministry is monitoring and regulating the sale of smuggled fuels in coordination with relevant authorities to oversee the markets and enforce compliance.
Suleiman urged citizens to “report any cases of smuggling or illegal selling.”
He added that coordination is ongoing with customs and other relevant bodies to control smuggling operations, exchange information, and improve monitoring mechanisms.
Regarding the manipulation of fuel prices, the Public Relations Director at the Ministry of Oil confirmed that the Mahrukat company monitors the operations of fuel stations and oversees their compliance with the price bulletin issued by it, taking action against violators as necessary.
Suleiman pointed out that the price bulletins issued by the Mahrukat company are based on international prices and local costs.
As for the concerns about the quality of fuels currently available in the markets, Suleiman stated that the fuels produced in refineries meet the Syrian standard specifications.
Imported fuels are subject to testing and inspections before entering Syria to ensure they meet the required standards.
He confirmed that continuous monitoring and oversight are conducted on fuel stations, wherein “necessary actions are taken against any station selling fuels that do not meet the standards.”
Private sector import
On January 12, the Syrian Minister of Oil and Mineral Resources, Ghiyath Diab, announced the opening of the way for the private sector to import petroleum materials into Syria, but without permitting the distribution of these materials.
In an interview with CNBC Arabia, Diab clarified that importing fuels will be available to all international bodies, companies, and countries, not limiting the imports to just the government, explaining that the Damascus government has begun dealing with the private sector in this context.
Following the approval for the private sector’s importation, three imported tankers carrying an average load of 15,000 tons of petroleum materials arrived in Syria, according to the minister.
Diab stated during the interview that there might be a reactivation of several gas and oil transport lines between countries via Syria soon, adding that there are several proposals for partnerships with Turkey in this matter, although the Damascus government has not yet taken any serious steps regarding these proposals.
4 million liters from Lebanon to Syria
On February 7, the Lebanese newspaper Al-Modon reported that Lebanese fuel companies pumped into the market a quantity exceeding 50% of the daily local market needs.
The newspaper quoted the head of the Importing Oil Companies Association, Maroun Chammas, noting that the excess quantity above the Lebanese market’s needs, estimated at around 4 million liters, was used to satisfy the Syrian market’s fuel needs.
Chammas indicated that this exceptional movement in fuel trade across the Lebanese-Syrian border seemed to have significantly slowed down starting early February, and the demand in the Lebanese market returned to its usual rates.
According to the newspaper, the increase in the demand for fuel quantities could not be limited to the stage of the fall of the Syrian regime, as the movement of fuel transfer to Syria has continuously fluctuated over the past period based on the border measures taken, but without stopping even for a single day.
Tanker trucks loaded with fuel traverse unofficial dirt roads to smuggle it into Syria – July 27, 2024 (Lebanese Army – Directorate of Guidance)