Business · Energy & Commodities · 1 hr ago
France to release strategic diesel stocks to ease pump prices
France has approved the sale of strategic diesel reserves in a bid to ease high fuel prices.
The decree allows up to 1.6 million cubic metres of diesel to be sold through January 31, with the allocation and price for distributors to be set by a separate order.
The government expects the move to cut diesel prices by 12 to 18 cents per litre; diesel has averaged between €2.30 and €2.40 a litre since early October.
Distributors must pass the full reduction to consumers and tell them about it before a sale, with the change allowed to take effect from November 1.
They must send sales and price information to authorities for checks.
Separately, aid for farmers buying agricultural diesel continues until December at 15 cents per litre, and a separate decree is expected to reopen earlier applications for some farmers.
France published a decree allowing the sale of strategic diesel stocks, aiming to cut pump prices by 12 to 18 cents per litre.
Fuel distributors must pass the full price reduction on to consumers and inform them before the sale.
The measure allows up to 1.6 million cubic metres of stocks, about 10 million barrels, to be sold through 31 January.
The price reduction may be passed on from 1 November 2026, including in advance of the sales.
The government said diesel prices had averaged between 2.30 and 2.40 euros per litre since early October.
- Who
- The French government and fuel distributors; consumers are intended to receive the price reduction.
- What
- A decree allows the sale of strategic diesel stocks, with distributors required to pass on the full price reduction.
- When
- The decree was published on 24 October 2026. The reduction may apply from 1 November, and sales are allowed through 31 January.
- Where
- France.
- Why
- The government aims to lower diesel prices by 12 to 18 cents per litre.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced the plan to release strategic diesel stocks.
A decree setting the conditions for selling the stocks was published in the Journal officiel.
Distributors may begin passing on the price reduction, including in advance of sales.
The authorised period for selling the stocks ends.
- Target price cut
- 12 to 18 cents per litre of diesel
- Maximum stock volume
- 1.6 million cubic metres, about 10 million barrels
- Sales period
- Through 31 January
- Diesel price level
- 2.30 to 2.40 euros per litre on average since early October
- Required pass-through
- Distributors must pass on the full reduction to consumers
3 sources
Un décret a été publié en vue de la libération de stocks stratégiques de gazole pour faire baisser les prix à la pompe
Prix des carburants : un décret en vue de la libération de stocks stratégiques de gazole publié au « Journal officiel »
12 à 18 centimes de moins par litre : les stocks de gazole libérés pourraient faire baisser les prix dès le 1er novembre
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This reduction may also be passed on in advance from 1 November 2026.