AZE.US
Prices for imported automotive oils in Azerbaijan have climbed sharply, with European brands seeing the biggest increases as tension around the Strait of Hormuz disrupts supply chains and fuels fears of broader shortages.
Prices for automotive oils in Azerbaijan have risen by as much as 30%, with market participants linking the increase to supply disruptions and higher logistics costs tied to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.
Traders and service operators say the sharpest increases have been recorded in imported European oils. Products that previously sold for around 100 manats are now being offered at 120-125 manats, while some motorists say oils that cost 70-80 manats not long ago now sell for 95-110 manats.
Industry specialists say the price jump is not yet uniform across the entire market. In some service centers and retail outlets, prices have not changed because sellers are still working through older inventory purchased at previous rates. But once those stocks run out, the broader market is expected to feel the increase more clearly.
Experts cited in the report say the main pressure is currently concentrated in oils imported from Europe, including products from Germany, Spain, France and Portugal. By contrast, oils arriving from Russia, the United States and South Korea have not yet seen the same level of price growth.
Market participants also report supply issues alongside higher prices. Some sellers say certain products are already difficult to replace, with new orders delayed or not arriving at all. In some cases, businesses have started substituting one brand for another because the original product is no longer available.
Analysts say the price increase reflects both higher oil-related input costs and disruptions to shipping routes. Because automotive oils are derived from petroleum products, any sustained rise in crude prices or interruption in transport corridors can quickly feed into retail pricing.
Specialists warn that if tensions around Hormuz persist, Azerbaijan’s market could face a wider shortage of imported oils in coming months, followed by further price increases across more product categories. The pressure is expected to be felt first in wholesale supply and among large vehicle fleets, which depend on steady bulk purchases.