France to release strategic fuel reserves to lower diesel prices

The French government has issued a decree to release up to 10 million barrels (1.6 million cubic meters) of strategic diesel reserves to combat high fuel costs. Managed by the Société anonyme de gestion des stocks de sécurité (Sagess), the fuel will be sold at the weighted average acquisition cost rather than the traditional loan model.

This measure aims to reduce diesel and domestic heating oil prices by 12 to 18 cents per liter, effective as early as November 1, 2026. Distributors are legally obligated to pass these savings entirely onto consumers and must inform customers before the sale. For a standard 60-liter tank, motorists could save between 7 and 11 euros per fill-up.

In a separate decree, the government has extended aid for farmers purchasing non-road diesel (GNR) through December, providing a subsidy of 15 cents per liter. This follows previous disbursements of approximately 74 million euros to over 184,000 farmers.