Belgium Heating Oil Prices Hit Five-Month High
The maximum price of heating oil in Belgium will rise on Friday, September 4, reaching its highest level since early April, according to the SPF Economie, the federal agency that regulates petroleum product prices. The increase comes as the ongoing Middle East war continues to drive up international energy costs, adding fresh pressure on households ahead of the winter heating season.
For orders of at least 2,000 liters, the maximum price will rise to 1.4553 euros per liter, an increase of 0.8 cents. Orders under 2,000 liters will see the maximum price reach 1.4958 euros per liter, also up 0.8 cents, as reported by RTBF. The new tariff, published as Tarif n° 2026/170, takes effect Friday and replaces the previous rate.
Rising Prices Across the Energy Spectrum
The heating oil increase is part of a broader surge in fuel prices across Belgium. On Thursday, the maximum price of gasoline (95 E10) reached 2.058 euros per liter — its highest level since July 2022 — while diesel climbed 14.5 cents to 2.386 euros per liter, according to RTBF reporting.
The price rises stem from fluctuations in petroleum product and bio-component quotations on international markets, with the war in the Middle East having driven up costs in recent months. Since the conflict began on February 28, fuel prices in Belgium have increased on average by 20 percent.
Households Feel the Squeeze Before Winter
The timing is particularly challenging for the approximately 37 percent of Belgian households that rely on heating oil as their primary heating source. In Wallonia, that figure rises to 52 percent, making heating oil the region’s most common heating fuel, according to data from Mazoutonline.
A 1,000-liter order now costs approximately 1,350 to 1,496 euros depending on order size — a significant financial burden for many families as they prepare for colder months. Fuel dealers report that some customers are increasingly struggling to afford full deliveries.
“Before, people ordered 500 liters or 1,000 liters without problem,” said Yves François, a fuel dealer in the Liège region, in an interview with RTBF Liège. “Now, when they ask for 200-300 liters, we can tell people don’t have it easy. Some will suffer this winter if this continues.”
For many, ordering is not optional. “There’s no question about it, I have to order it, that’s all,” said Pol Bovy, a customer from Bertrée. “If I want to heat my home, I need it. Especially since the heating oil also serves my boiler, which is incorporated into my heating system.”
Geopolitics Driving Market Volatility
The sustained price pressure traces back to the military offensive launched by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28, which triggered a wider Middle East conflict. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz — a strategic passage through which about one-fifth of global oil production transits — and damage to regional energy infrastructure have kept markets on edge throughout the summer.
While the price of a barrel of Brent crude has fallen from its peak of over $115 in late March to around $85-90, retail prices remain elevated. Industry experts point to a combination of factors beyond crude oil costs, including refining expenses, distribution margins, bio-component prices, and taxes, which together account for more than half of the pump price.
“The only certainty today is uncertainty,” said Jean-Benoît Schrans, spokesperson for Energia, the Belgian fuel industry federation, in an analysis published by RTBF. “The market is so volatile right now that it’s impossible to predict how prices will evolve. The geopolitical situation over the past six months has created instability in the supply of crude oil and diesel worldwide. So it will take a lot of time to return to a situation comparable to what we knew before the war in Iran.”
What to Watch
With the winter heating season approaching and the Middle East conflict showing no signs of resolution, analysts expect continued volatility in heating oil prices. The situation is compounded by expectations that wood and pellet prices will also rise this autumn, limiting alternatives for households seeking cheaper heating options.
Consumer organization Testachats has advised households to monitor price developments closely rather than locking in fixed energy contracts at current elevated levels. For the millions of Belgian families who depend on heating oil, the question of how high prices will climb — and how long the conflict will keep them there — remains open as the cold season approaches.