Since yesterday, fuel prices at filling stations across Poland have risen noticeably. Diesel has become the most expensive – at some stations, its price has increased by as much as several dozen groszy per litre. At some stations in Bolesławiec, its price has already come close to 7 zł per litre. Petrol has also become more expensive – in the city, it has clearly exceeded 6 zł per litre.
Drivers are not hiding their irritation. They point out that price increases are introduced almost immediately, while reductions – if they appear at all – are spread out over time and are far less noticeable. For now, however, the situation at filling stations remains calm – there are no queues or signs of mass fuel stockpiling.
The current situation is being influenced by the tense geopolitical situation and the war in the Middle East, which is affecting crude oil prices. Few people expected the market to react so sharply and in such a short time – in just three days. This is all the more surprising because on Wednesday, March 4, a barrel of oil cost around 80 dollars. So where did such a large scale of increases come from? Much suggests that it is not only the prices of the raw material themselves that matter, but also fears and speculation about possible supply disruptions and shortages of refined fuels.
There is also no shortage of ironic comments that oil tankers from the Persian Gulf region have already managed to reach their destination ports, while fuel “from the area of military operations” has made it to refineries and Polish filling stations at express speed.
According to today’s quotations*, the average price of 95-octane petrol in Poland is 5.99 zł per litre, while a litre of diesel costs an average of 6.40 zł per litre.
* – more data can be found on the e-petrol.pl
websiteCheck what prices were at filling stations in Bolesławiec this afternoon (March 4) – photos below.
Forecasts for the coming days
Fuel market analysts do not rule out further price increases. If tensions in the Middle East continue, and oil prices and the dollar exchange rate remain high, prices at filling stations may rise even further.
In the case of diesel, a realistic scenario is the barrier being exceeded 7 zł per litre in a larger number of regions across the country. 95-octane petrol, meanwhile, may permanently remain above 6 zł. An increase to 8 or 9 zł per litre, however, is unlikely for now.
Experts nevertheless stress that much depends on the development of the geopolitical situation and the decisions of the largest oil producers. Possible stabilization on global markets could halt the increases, but drivers should not expect a quick return to significantly lower prices for now.