Diesel prices climb as 11% of French petrol stations report shortages

Diesel prices in France are rising again as supply disruptions push more petrol stations to report shortages. Official figures show 11% of service stations notified authorities that they were out of at least one fuel product.

Shortages climb through the week

France's government platform classifies any station missing at least one major oil derivative as a "station in difficulty." On 18 September, 89% of pumps operated without such problems. The share of affected stations grew during the week: on Wednesday problems hit 9% of stations, on Thursday 10%, and by Friday the share had climbed to 11%.

The situation is hardest in Grand Est, where 16% of stations reported shortages, while Centre‑Val de Loire and Occitanie each reported 14% of pumps affected.

Price pressure is rising alongside shortages. The average price of diesel on Thursday was about €2.38 per litre, close to the record level seen in April. At dozens of pumps the price has already exceeded €2.70 per litre.

European diesel markets are tight because of disruptions to global supply, attacks on energy infrastructure in the Middle East and Russia, and reduced refining capacity. An additional blow came after an attack in Saudi Arabia damaged three pump stations on the East‑West pipeline; Saudi Aramco then halted part of October deliveries to European refineries while work is under way to gradually restore the pipeline's capacity.

Paris has already provided targeted support to some of the most affected sectors. President Emmanuel Macron has announced an initiative to coordinate with G7 countries on the possible additional use of strategic oil and fuel reserves.

Photo: press material from the event