Fuel prices finally showed a clear downward drift after a long stretch of pressure, giving drivers a welcome break at a moment when holiday travel often spikes. The current prices sit at their lowest point in a year, with diesel dipping below the earlier 20‑cent bonus, a shift that sharpens the forecast for the upcoming holiday period. Stations across the province are recalibrating expectations and aiming for sales levels seen before the 2019 surge, as optimistic forecasts take shape for the Easter travel rush.
The surge in fuel costs that followed the Ukraine crisis, along with European sanctions on Russia and the ban on oil imports and their derivatives, marked an unprecedented spike. Prices peaked last June, with unleaded gasoline hitting a maximum near 2.120 euros per liter and diesel around 2.039 euros. Since then, prices have gradually eased, though they have not moved in a perfectly straight line, reflecting the unpredictable rhythm of global markets.
From that peak, a steady pattern of decline emerged, punctuated by occasional bumps. The dip gained momentum at the start of 2023, driven in part by softer international refined product prices and slower growth in major economies. This trend has helped soften local pump prices as well, aligning them with softer global signals and consumer demand cycles.
Today brings a clearer picture: gasoline is averaging around 1.633 euros per liter, while diesel sits near 1.553 euros per liter. Notably, diesel now costs less than the 20‑cent bonus, which was introduced last year on April 1 and left a lingering price comparison for customers. Gasoline remains slightly higher than the bonus, a difference that may influence buying behavior at the pump as the holiday period approaches.
Gas stations anticipate a 10% drop in consumption after the discount ends
The peculiarity of the current shift is that the expected drop in consumption aligns with Holy Week, a period that historically sees varied traffic depending on local travel patterns. Early assessments do not project dramatic changes in travel behavior from today through the Easter holiday, according to Emilio Córcoles, provincial head of the Federation of Mediterranean Gas Station Entrepreneurs (Fedmes). He notes that while fuel markets can react swiftly to international developments, local holidays like Easter in Spain alone are unlikely to trigger large price swings unless global conditions change abruptly.
Industry officials remain hopeful that the holiday season will bring a surge of visitors to the province, with many travelers from nearby regions planning cross‑province trips. If the forecast holds, gas stations expect to return to pre‑pandemic sales levels similar to those seen in 2019, underscoring a broader recovery in travel demand. As one industry observer put it, the road to a robust seasonal period has felt like a long journey, and many participants are looking forward to a strong finish that mirrors pre‑pandemic markets.