MOSCOW, June 24 (Reuters) - Russian gasoline production has increased by only 2% from May's average in the first 18 days of June, less than expected by the energy ministry, the Kommersant newspaper reported on Monday, citing sources familiar with the official data.
It said that gasoline production rose to 108,000 metric tons per day on average over June 1-18, about 7.2% below the expected level.
Gasoline exports jumped 53% from the same period in May to 8,400 tons per day after the suspension of an export ban.
Stockpiles of gasoline at fuel depots and refineries edged down by 2.7% from the previous week to a little below 2 million tons, slightly above the same period last year, the newspaper reported.
The government is due to discuss at the end of the month whether to continue gasoline exports in July. (Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin Editing by David Goodman)
