Diesel above PLN 8 as fuel price caps rise for the weekend

Energy minister Miłosz Motyka announced the caps on Friday 9 October. They apply from Saturday to Monday. It is the first diesel cap above PLN 8 since VAT on fuel was cut from 23% to 8% on 3 October.

A second day of increases

From Thursday to Friday, Pb95 went up from PLN 6.83 to PLN 6.90 per litre and diesel from PLN 7.74 to PLN 7.82. Before that, prices had been falling: according to Reflex, between 1 and 8 October the average price of Pb95 dropped by PLN 1.32 per litre and diesel by PLN 1.42.

Why prices are rising

Energetyka24 cites three causes: the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia and a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico. In September, diesel exports from the Middle East to Europe fell to 110,000 barrels a day, 80% less than in February.

The CPN package

The lower VAT rate applies until the end of 2026 and does not cover LPG. Breaching the caps carries a fine of up to PLN 1 million. The CPN (“Lower Fuel Prices”) package is funded by a 60% tax on excess profits from fuel sales. The president signed that law but referred it to the Constitutional Tribunal for follow-up review. According to Motyka, “the CPN programme is the largest support programme for drivers in the entire European Union”.

Reflex expects autogas at about PLN 3.39 per litre next week. Caps for Tuesday will be announced on Monday.