Energy resources are becoming more expensive, but Moldova still increases their imports. In the first quarter of this year, the share of energy in the cost of imported goods was 30%. Diesel fuel takes the leading position with 37.4%, and natural gas – 33.7%. However, the cost of diesel fuel increased by 58.6% due to higher prices and a 53% increase in imports.
Interestingly, the data from the National Bank of Moldova and the National Energy Regulatory Agency contradict each other. This is due to the re-export of diesel fuel to Ukraine, which is carried out by the Giurgiulesti port operator.
Meanwhile, imports of natural gas decreased by 2.2 times, due to reorientation towards alternative energy sources. Slovakia, Greece and Romania have become the largest suppliers of gas to Moldova.
Also, it is worth noting that the import of fuel oil increased 34 times compared to the previous year, amounting to 62.86 million dollars. Gasoline imports also increased by 31.1%, but data on its imports do not coincide in different sources.
Thus, Moldova continues to increase energy imports, but there is some contradiction in the data between different sources. It is important to monitor the situation in order to understand the impact of this growth on the country’s economy and consumers.
