Last week, on average, a liter of diesel cost 2.14 euros in France. An increase of 25 cents in seven days.
The cape, symbolic, was expected and feared by millions of French people forced to take their car to live and work. Last week, according to data from the Ministry of Ecological Transition, the price of a liter of diesel increased by 25 cents, passing the two euro mark. it’s about the eleventh consecutive week rising prices at the pump.
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In detail, the liter of diesel cost, on average, 2.141 euros. The liter of SP95 also crossed two euros, at 2.082 euros, and that of SP98 reached 2.121 euros. These two fuels saw their prices jump, in one week, by 19 and 16 cents respectively. For diesel, the increase reached nearly 40 cents in two weeks.
The increase is felt on the ground: in the Aisne, the liter of diesel exceeds two euros in several stations, and even reaches 2.3 euros in some places. Same observation everywhere in France, as in the Alpes-Maritimes, where diesel exceeds 2.5 euros in a few stations, or in the Gers, where the 2.3 euro mark is crossed in about ten points of sale. . In Paris, a liter of diesel exceeds 2.7 euros in one station, and that of SP98 approaches 2.8 euros in two places.
Between February 28 and March 6, prices had already jumped, bearing the brunt of the rise in market prices. The liter of diesel had soared 14 cents, from 1.7415 euro to 1.8831 euro. Similarly, the liter of SP95 reached 1.8889 euro, and that of SP98 1.9558 euro. An already massive increase, and which is therefore continuing.
Towards lower prices at the pump?
The galloping inflation of fuel prices is explained by the surge in oil prices on the markets. In February, according to the Ministry of Ecological Transition, the quotation jumped, reaching its highest level – 97.13 dollars on average – for several years. Enough to bring the price of the raw material – and therefore that paid by the end consumer – to new heights. After a moment of panic in early March, prices are beginning to fall. While the barrel of Brent was trading at more than 120 dollars last week, its highest level since 2014, it had fallen again, this Monday noon, below the 110 dollar mark. The threat dismissed for the moment of a European embargo on Russian oil may have come into play.
Some anticipated this dynamic and saw a subsequent fall in prices at the pump: at the end of last week, Michel-Edouard Leclerc predicted a significant drop in the bill this weekend, around 35 cents for diesel and 8 to 10 cents for the SP95. The same is true for service station owner-operators: “from Thursday, Friday, all of our members have lowered their prices according to their supply“, declared Francis Pousse, the representative of these professionals. The diesel went back, at the end of the week, below the bar of “two eurosat many stations, according to his organization.
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For its part, the government took note of the increase, by announcing a discount of 15 centimes per liter of fuel, subsidized by the state. Something to ease the pain. Cost of the device: “two billion euros“, according to Jean Castex. “I ask oil companies and distributors to also make an effort on their side“, launched the leader of the majority, adding that negotiations at the “case by casehad been taking place for a few days. TotalEnergies also bounced back on the Prime Minister’s announcement, confirming that its “discount of 10 cents / liter [dans ses stations-service situées en zone rurale] always applies and is cumulative with this measure“.
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Criticized by the oppositions who denounce a decision “electoralist“, the discount will only be effective from the beginning of April, for a period of four months. It remains to be seen if oil prices will continue to fall by then, or if the rise generated by the Russian offensive in Ukraine will resume with renewed vigor.
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