Rising fuel prices: diesel at the pump has never been as expensive as it is today in France

This week, the price of Diesel is soaring a little further to reach a weekly amount never seen before in France. According to the Ministry of Regional Planning and Ecological Transition, the liter of this fuel costs on average, over the last seven days, the record sum of 2.1888 euros. Or 8 cents more than the previous week.

An alarming development largely caused by the ongoing war in the Middle East. For almost a month, the strategic Strait of Hormuz has been blocked by the Islamic Republic even though it normally serves as a key passage for global fuel trade. Faced with the risks of shortages, the scarcity of foodstuffs and despite the strategic reserves of each nation, prices are soaring at the pump.

Probable extension of aid

Faced with the anger of farmers and transporters, the government suggested this Monday March 30 that government aid to compensate for this increase could be extended in France. The Minister of Transport Philippe Tabarot stressed on Europe 1 and CNews that the aid announced would “perhaps be renewable if the situation continues, in May or June”.

As for farmers, particularly unhappy with the support currently offered, the powerful boss of the FNSEA, Arnaud Rousseau, was received by the Prime Minister on Monday. He asked for increased support and Sébastien Lecornu said he was “ready to go further if the war were to continue”.

However, the executive does not plan to reduce taxes on fuel, which represent 50 to 55% of the price at the pump. “If you put in place general measures it will cost you a lot of money and it will undoubtedly be very ineffective, so today we are as close as possible to those who need it most,” justified the Minister of the Economy Roland Lescure, on the sidelines of the Global Industries show in Paris.