The national recommended prices for petrol and diesel climbed again on Friday as the conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt global energy markets. According to consumer collective UnitedConsumers, the recommended price for a litre of Euro95 has increased to €2.565, up from €2.543 the previous day. The recommended price for diesel rose even more sharply, reaching €2.641 compared with €2.577 on Thursday. These increases push the recommended prices set by major oil companies to new record highs.
In the pre-conflict days, Euro95 was priced at €2.28 and diesel at €2.09. This shows how significantly the conflict has affected fuel costs. Recommended prices generally apply to motorway service stations. Refuelling at local stations is often relatively cheaper.
The surge in oil prices has been driven by Iranian attacks on regional energy facilities and the near-total blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping route for global oil supply. Despite this upward pressure, oil prices eased slightly on Friday: the price of a barrel of US crude fell by more than 2 percent to just above $94, while Brent crude dropped 1.6 percent to just under $107 per barrel.
@anp | NEWSBRAINPORT
