Phnom Penh: The Commerce Ministry said nearly 2,000 fuel stations, depots and retail sub-stations nationwide had temporarily closed, claiming they were out of stock. Authorities suspected some operators might be holding fuel for sale at higher prices.
Commerce Minister Cham Nimul, representing the interministerial team responsible for Cambodia’s retail fuel-price formula, said a mixed specialist team would inspect closed outlets to establish the actual reasons for their claimed shortages.
Reports as of the night of March 11, 2026, showed nearly 2,000 temporary closures among more than 6,300 operating fuel outlets nationwide, with operators citing exhausted supplies.
At a National Assembly workshop on March 12, 2026, on strengthening national resilience and opportunities in Cambodia’s governance, science, technology, innovation, industry and trade strategy, the minister said operators found withholding stocks from public sale would face legal measures, including fines and business-licence revocation.
“We have sent specialist officers to inspect the situation. If fuel is found in stock but not offered for sale, there will be fines and possible licence revocation. But if stocks really have run out, the state will cooperate with private fuel importers to ensure sufficient supplies,” she said.
She also said fuel prices might trend down in the following days after positive international retail-market signals before dawn on March 12, 2026.
To ease consumers’ burden, the government had negotiated with importers to stabilise prices and prevent sharp increases. Under the agreement described, when oil exceeded US$90 a barrel, the state would absorb approximately 6.5 US cents per litre and importers would absorb one US cent per litre.
Under the formula agreed by the interministerial authorities and fuel companies, retail prices for March 11–13, 2026, were set at 5,200 riel per litre for regular petrol and 6,050 riel for diesel. By: KPS99TV.
