Road fuel suppliers in the German downstream market are preparing for a drop in diesel and gasoline demand, as the German government confirmed today a month-long nationwide lockdown will be imposed from 2 November.
Retail station operators and suppliers across the country expect driving to fall significantly after new restrictions on travel, entertainment and contact between households come into force. Schools and shops will remain open.
Some regional governments were opposed to the plan, although many locations had already reimposed restrictions, crimping road fuel demand in recent days.
Road fuel consumption in Germany — Europe's largest oil-consuming country — was hit hard during the first lockdown, which started in late March. Diesel sales fell by 22pc on the year and by 12pc on the month to 2.5mn t in April, while gasoline sales fell by 35pc on the year to 965,000t — the lowest since 2014.

