First diesel price drop in two months set for Tuesday
For the first time in eight weeks, the price of diesel will roll back this week, a reprieve to motorists after two months of continuous increases.
Effective Tuesday, Oct. 21, diesel will see a ₱0.70 per liter rollback, while kerosene is set to go down by ₱0.60 per liter. This marks the first price reprieve for diesel in eight weeks.
Gasoline, however, will increase by ₱0.10 per liter, marking its third consecutive weekly price hike.
Seaoil, CleanFuel, Shell Pilipinas, Caltex, and PTT are among the oil companies that have already announced these adjustments.
This week’s price drops stem from a larger supply coupled with weaker market demand and the easing of geopolitical tensions.
The minimal increase in the global crude oil supply came after the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) raised its output. Additionally, the International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasted weaker demand.
A recent Reuters report cited that the oversupply, along with the economic slowdown caused by trade tensions between the United States (US) and China, is affecting this week's rates. These trade tensions have included port fee spikes that could affect global transport.
The report also noted that the US is set to pressure Russian oil buyers, as the US and Europe continue to threaten countries that import oil from Russia. Analysts had also noted that prices were previously capped from going down due to lower Asian gasoline stock and stronger demand from Indonesia.