French face shortages at the pump

Fuel supplies have been strained throughout France due to capped prices and Middle East disruptions

Shortages have been worsening at filling stations across France, with around 18% of them having run out of at least one type of fuel, Energy Minister Delegate Maud Bregeon has said. Demand has risen amid capped prices, as Middle East war disruptions have pushed global energy costs up.

The disruptions have been most pronounced at sites operated by energy major TotalEnergies, which account for the majority of affected stations after capping prices below market levels and drawing increased traffic, Bregeon said on Tuesday.

Total said it was maintaining a price cap of €1.99 ($2.30) per liter for unleaded petrol in April, while raising the cap on diesel to €2.25, bringing it closer to market levels. The company had previously warned that traffic across its network has increased sharply since mid-March, warning of “localized supply tensions,” particularly for diesel.

Authorities have blamed logistical issues linked to holiday delivery slowdowns rather than a national supply shortage, claiming most stations will be restocked in the coming days. 

However, rising diesel and gasoline prices have driven up costs for businesses and households, prompting protests in parts of France. Roadblocks have set up around Nantes by truckers and construction firms, while fishermen in Corsica have blocked ports. The response echoed the widespread fuel price protests which took place during the 2018–2019 Yellow Vests movement.

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The US-Israeli war against Iran has added pressure to global energy markets, driving oil prices higher and increasing fuel costs for consumers worldwide. The conflict has effectively choked flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route which accounts for around a fifth of the global oil supply. 

The EU has already been grappling with the fallout from its decision to cut energy ties with Russia following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict, alongside the costs of its green transition policies. 

The European Commission has said there will be no return to Russian energy, and it will continue to pursue a full phase-out of the country’s fossil fuels by 2027. However, earlier this month it put plans for a complete ban on oil from Russia on hold, due to what some officials have reportedly called “current geopolitical developments.”