Ran Oil to sell Azerbaijani fuel from December 23

PanARMENIAN.Net - Starting December 23, Azerbaijani-imported gasoline will be sold at Ran Oil fuel stations in Armenia, according to Karen Hayriyan, director of Mega Trade, as reported by Factor.am.

Ran Oil is owned by Mega Trade, which is part of the Sil Concern group belonging to the family of MP Khachatur Sukiasyan from the ruling Civil Contract party.

“We believe customers can start buying the fuel tomorrow. The product will be offered in our Ran Oil retail network. Our clients will feel the price difference in their pockets. We plan to sell the premium-grade fuel at 440 AMD per liter, while the current market average is 520 AMD,” Hayriyan said, noting that affordable pricing is possible at this stage.

Mega Trade imported 600 tons of gasoline from Azerbaijan—22 rail tankers in total. Another company has also imported Azerbaijani fuel, but its name has not yet been disclosed.

Regarding how importers knew this opportunity was available, Hayriyan explained: “We purchased the fuel through an international reseller. We signed the contract with them, but yes, the origin is Azerbaijani.”

He emphasized that the import of Azerbaijani gasoline will be ongoing.

The fuel was transported through Georgia. According to Hayriyan, this time the Georgian government did not impose a transit fee. There is currently no clarity about future charges, but Armenia’s government is actively negotiating to keep fuel prices affordable for citizens.

At the moment, there is no fixed transit fee. As far as I know, the government is negotiating to secure terms that will allow continued affordable imports,” he said.

This fuel delivery follows the November 28 agreement in Gabala between Azerbaijani Deputy PM Shahin Mustafayev and Armenian Deputy PM Mher Grigoryan, under which 22 tankers of AI-95 gasoline produced by SOCAR were shipped to Armenia. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan welcomed the arrival of the fuel train from Azerbaijan.

Edmon Marukyan, leader of the Bright Armenia party, criticized the move, writing on Facebook that “by purchasing fuel from Baku, Armenia is directly funding the Azerbaijani armed forces.