Diesel Price in Belgium to Hit Two-Month High on Thursday
The price of diesel in Belgium will rise to its highest level in nearly two months on Thursday, July 16, as the resumption of hostilities between the United States and Iran drives up global energy costs. The maximum price for a liter of diesel (B7) will increase to EUR 2.145, the highest since May 21, according to the Federal Public Service Economy (FOD Economie).
A Jump of More Than 10 Cents
The increase represents a rise of more than EUR 0.10 per liter compared to the current maximum price, the FOD Economie confirmed. For a typical 50-liter tank, this means an additional cost of roughly EUR 5, bringing the total to approximately EUR 107.25.
Heating oil (stookolie) will also become more expensive, rising by more than EUR 0.05 per liter to EUR 1.2231 per liter for orders of at least 2,000 liters. Meanwhile, gasoline 95 (E10) will cost a maximum of EUR 1.8840 per liter, and gasoline 98 (E5) EUR 2.0190 per liter.
The price adjustments are driven by “fluctuations in the quotations of oil products and their biocomponents on the international markets,” the FOD Economie said in a statement reported by VRT NWS.
Geopolitical Drivers: The Strait of Hormuz Crisis
The underlying cause of the price surge is the renewed escalation of the US-Israel-Iran conflict, centered on the Strait of Hormuz — a narrow waterway through which approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments pass.
After a temporary ceasefire and a framework peace agreement on June 17, 2026, oil prices had fallen back toward pre-war levels of around $70-72 per barrel. However, the situation reversed sharply in early July. On July 8, US President Donald Trump declared the ceasefire “definitively over,” and on July 13, he announced a renewed blockade of Iranian ports and proposed a 20% toll on all cargo passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
As a result, Brent crude oil has risen above $85 per barrel, the highest level in about a month. European gas prices (TTF) have also surged, rising more than 6% to over EUR 51 per megawatt-hour.
“Oil is becoming more expensive again due to a new escalation in the American-Israeli war against Iran, with American attacks on Iran and Iranian attacks on targets in the Middle East,” VRT NWS journalist Alexander Verstraete reported.
Broader Economic Impact
This is the latest in a series of price fluctuations throughout 2026 driven by the ongoing Middle East conflict. Diesel previously peaked at a record EUR 2.489 per liter in early April 2026, before falling below EUR 2.00 in late June as the ceasefire took hold.
The renewed price increases add to cost-of-living pressures on Belgian households and businesses. Transport, logistics, and agriculture sectors face higher operating costs, which may be passed on to consumers. Belgian inflation, which surged from 1.65% in March to 4.01% in April, could rise further if energy prices remain elevated.
Industrial producer prices in Belgium have also felt the impact. According to De Morgen, factory gate prices reached their highest level since February 2023 in May 2026, driven by increased energy costs resulting from the conflict. The share of Belgian households with fixed energy contracts has risen sharply — from approximately 28% to 32% for electricity and from 31% to 36.5% for natural gas between March and April — as households seek protection from price volatility.
Government Response
The Belgian federal government has allocated up to EUR 80 million in energy support measures, primarily aimed at commuters using private vehicles. The package includes tax incentives for employers to increase kilometer allowances and EUR 15 million for social heating oil and gas funds.
Energy expert Kenneth Vansina, speaking to HLN, noted that a full tank of diesel will cost approximately EUR 8 more than before the latest price spike.
What to Watch For
The situation remains highly volatile. The Strait of Hormuz crisis has demonstrated that peace agreements can be fragile, and any further escalation between the US and Iran could push oil prices significantly higher. OPEC+‘s modest production increase of 188,000 barrels per day may not be sufficient to offset supply disruptions from the Hormuz chokepoint.
For Belgian consumers, the immediate impact is clear: filling up at the pump will cost significantly more starting Thursday, and with heating oil prices also rising, households face mounting energy bills as the summer months give way to autumn.
In the longer term, the price volatility may accelerate Belgium’s shift away from fossil fuels. Interest in heat pumps surged 40% in early 2026, according to Climafed, as rising fuel costs drove households to seek alternatives. However, for the millions of Belgians who rely on diesel vehicles for commuting and heating oil for their homes, the immediate pain at the pump — and at the tank — is likely to persist as long as the Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint in global energy markets.