Diesel prices in Cambodia have more than doubled following the Middle East conflict outbreak, as per the Ministry of Commerce. The price for a liter of diesel now stands at 8,100 riels ($2.03), a significant 110% increase from 3,850 riels ($0.96) at the end of February.
In contrast, regular gasoline is now priced at 5,500 riels ($1.37) per liter, marking a 42.8% rise from 3,850 riels ($0.96) at the end of February. Additionally, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is being sold at 3,900 riels ($0.97) per liter, showing a 95% increase from 2,000 riels ($0.50) at the end of February.
To counter the impact of escalating fuel prices, the government has lowered import duties and taxes on fuel products since March 20, as reported by Xinhua news agency. Furthermore, on March 28, the government opted to reduce import duties on electric vehicles (EVs), passenger plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), electric stoves, and solar-powered devices.
Cambodia heavily relies on imported petroleum and diesel, given that its seabed oil reserves remain untapped. Notably, due to the surge in fuel costs triggered by the Middle East conflict, eighteen out of 36 airlines operating flights to and from Cambodia raised their air ticket prices by March 31, according to a civil aviation spokesperson. Sinn Chanserey Vutha, the secretary of state and spokesperson for the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation, mentioned that airlines have imposed a fuel surcharge based on flight distance, with domestic airlines increasing airfares by about $21 on average and foreign airlines by approximately $28 on average.
