The slight increases in pump prices observed over recent days are not due to the rise in crude oil prices, which have remained consistently between 74 and 82 dollars per barrel over the last three months for the Brent benchmark. Compared to the peak reached last September at 94 dollars per barrel for Brent, experts note this is not a significant increase, but rather a fluctuation within a stable range.

The increases originating from the international market stem from higher transport and insurance costs. These are driven by the detours via the Cape of Good Hope that oil tankers have been taking since Houthi rebels in Yemen began attacking vessels transiting the Red Sea.

Another factor contributing to market volatility, particularly in the diesel segment, is drone attacks on Russian refineries. These incidents can reduce the amount of diesel reaching the international market, thus affecting prices globally. Even though the EU no longer imports diesel directly from Russia, it continues to rely on imports primarily from the US, the Middle East, and India.