War in the Middle East: shortages in at least 5% of gas stations, the government calls not to “rush” there

Should we see the first signs of something big? Several gas stations are already experiencing shortages across France, on the sixth day of the war in the Middle East caused by Israeli-American strikes on Iran, according to data collected by Le Parisien. A phenomenon of shortage which adds to an increase in prices, already visible, which is expected to continue.

According to our calculations, around 500 service stations (5%) were considered to be in difficulty on Wednesday March 4, that is to say in total or partial shortage of the fuels they usually distributed. According to the collaborative map “Pénurie Mon Essence”, shortages were notably recorded this Thursday afternoon at service stations in Tours (Indre-et-Loire), Morsang-sur-Orge (Essonne) or Saint-Sulpice-la-Pointe (Tarn).

According to La Nouvelle République, certain stations in Poitiers (Vienne) and its surrounding areas were in shortage of SP 95 and SP98 on Wednesday, others without SP 98. Shortages were also observed on Tuesday evening in Charente, according to Charente Libre. “I didn’t think there would be so many people, it’s impressive,” said a Charentaise woman quoted by the newspaper.

A sharp increase in the price of a barrel

Since Saturday, the Israeli-American offensive on Iran has resulted in the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately 20% of world oil production passes. As a result, the price of the reference barrel suffered a sharp increase, trading at 82.62 dollars this Thursday morning in Paris, compared to 72.48 on February 27, on the eve of the war. Le Parisien observed the first increases in prices at the pump in France this Wednesday.

“We are not really afraid of the shortage, there is still diesel,” reassures Philippe Burtin, 50, interviewed by AFP in Strasbourg (Bas-Rhin). “But I saw people rushing, filling cans. They are the ones who scare us,” adds this taxi driver. With such behavior, “it’s possible that there won’t be any more.”

The Ministry of the Economy refuted Thursday that the State is the “big winner” from the increase in fuel prices, as stated by the boss of the distributor Cooperative U. The ministry received fuel distributors during the day to “ensure” that they will not practice exaggerated price increases. “There is no short-term supply risk in France for either gas or gasoline,” Minister Roland Lescure declared on Tuesday. “So let’s not create a problem that doesn’t exist. There is no reason to rush to gas stations today. »