EU Diesel Prices Hit Record €2.24 a Litre as Middle East War Disrupts Supplies
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM — WEB DESK: The average price of diesel across the European Union has climbed to a record €2.24 per litre, equivalent to about $9.60 per US gallon, as disruptions to global fuel supplies continue to push energy costs higher.
The latest level represents a sharp increase from €1.59 per litre in February, before the escalation of conflict in the Middle East.
Twelve EU member states recorded new all-time highs, highlighting the widespread impact of tightening diesel supplies across the 27-member bloc.
Diesel prices exceeded €2.50 per litre in Denmark, the Netherlands and Finland, while Germany recorded an average of €2.44 per litre.
Belgium’s diesel price reached a record €2.43 per litre, up from €2.39 the previous week. Italy recorded an increase of seven cents to €2.35, while prices in France averaged about €2.37 per litre, excluding overseas territories and Corsica.
Across the European Union as a whole, diesel prices increased by an average of one cent per litre over the latest week.
Diesel is particularly important to Europe’s economy because it remains a major fuel for road freight transport and agricultural machinery. Sustained increases can therefore add pressure to transportation, farming and distribution costs.
Taxes also represent a significant portion of European pump prices, accounting for around 40% on average of the amount motorists pay. The figures do not include some targeted government subsidies offered to consumers in individual countries.
International fuel markets have faced sustained disruption since February. The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy transit routes, has constrained supplies from Gulf producers.
The situation has been compounded by a Houthi blockade affecting Saudi exports through the Red Sea and Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries, placing additional pressure on international fuel availability.
Europe has also become increasingly exposed to changes in global diesel flows after reducing its reliance on Russian energy supplies and closing some domestic refining capacity.
The latest record comes as governments consider measures to ease pressure on fuel markets. France and Germany hold a substantial share of the European Union’s emergency diesel stocks, while discussions continue over whether additional strategic reserves should be released.
With global fuel supplies remaining tight, diesel prices are likely to remain a major concern for European consumers, businesses and policymakers in the coming weeks.
