In 2026, UKRNAFTA secures its first loan to import diesel fuel from USA to provide farmers with fuel

Ukraine’s largest gas station chain, UKRNAFTA, has doubled its fuel purchases in 2026 compared to last year to ensure farmers have sufficient fuel for the planting season, company CEO Bohdan Kukura told Interfax-Ukraine.

"We have received our first diesel deliveries from the United States. The government’s goal was to ensure there would be no shortages [on the domestic market]. We are fulfilling this: given the season and increased demand, we have purchased twice as much fuel as before. There will be no shortages. We are fully booked and don’t foresee any problems at all for April," the company’s CEO emphasized.

According to him, in response to the government’s request, UKRNAFTA began using post-import financing instruments for the first time in its history. The first shipments of American fuel were purchased using credit lines from state-owned Ukrgasbank and Oschadbank. The top manager noted that this mechanism has only been in operation for about a month, but has already proven effective in ensuring energy security.

The board chairman also explained that, given the volatile market, UKRNAFTA abandoned fixed-price contracts, as they are unprofitable for suppliers due to the impossibility of predicting risks. Currently, client relations are based exclusively on a "contract formula" linked to global Platts or Argus benchmarks.

Kukura also commented on the sales structure: retail customers (B2C) account for approximately 50-70%, while the corporate segment (B2B cards and coupons) accounts for 30-50%. He also clarified that farmers typically purchase fuel through small wholesalers.

According to the head of UKRNAFTA’s board, thanks to strategic reserves and new logistics, there is no reason to panic. The company continues to actively work with banks, creating "effective cases for market supply," so Ukrainian businesses can be confident in the availability of fuel at gas stations.

As reported, by the end of 2025, UKRNAFTA increased its B2B fuel sales volumes to 391.6 million liters, a 61.7% increase over the previous year and almost eight times higher than the 2023 result. The number of active corporate clients tripled during this period, reaching 9,700 companies. Over the past three years, the company has doubled average daily fuel sales per filling station, and the average bill at its stores has tripled, reaching UAH 180.

The UKRNAFTA network of petrol stations is the largest network of petrol stations in Ukraine, comprising nearly 700 stations and ranking among the top three in terms of fuel sales. The UKRNAFTA brand consolidates networks previously operating under the Glusco, Shell, and U.Go brands. In addition, 21 complexes of the Ukrgazvydobuvannia (U.Go) company operate under the UKRNAFTA brand on a franchise basis.