Russian oil refineries in September cut gasoline exports by 26% from August on a daily basis, to 260,000 tonnes, due to plant maintenance and a fuel export ban, according to industry sources and Reuters calculations on Thursday.

Russia on Sept. 21 introduced a ban on fuel exports to all countries outside a circle of four ex-Soviet states to bring down gasoline and diesel prices and address fuel shortages during harvesting season.

It eased ban a few days later, by allowing exports of marine fuel and gasoil, a type of diesel fraction, but there is no time frame for the remaining restrictions to be lifted.

The Arctic port of Murmansk was the main gateway for Russian gasoline exports last month, handling 49,500 tonnes, up almost 70% from August, while Ust-Luga exported 42,700 tonnes of gasoline, down 55% from August.

Supplies to Mongolia almost halved last month to 41,300 tonnes, while exports to Central Asia declined by more than 18% to 55,200 tonnes.

Exports via the Black Sea port of Taman rose 44% from August, to 17,300 tonnes, while the port of St. Petersburg resumed exports of gasoline last month, handling around 6,300 tonnes.

Source: Reuters (Reporting by Natalia Chumakova; writing by Vladimir Soldatkin; Editing by Kevin Liffey)