Fuel prices in southern Germany have risen less sharply since the start of the war in the Middle East than in other parts of the country, widening regional differentials — especially for heating oil.
Suppliers linked to the 310,000 b/d Miro refinery in Karlsruhe and the 207,000 b/d Bayernoil refinery in Vohburg-Neustadt have reduced prices relative to the rest of the country because of oversupply. Output at both refineries is exceeding weak demand, prompting suppliers to offer discounts to stimulate buying interest.
The effect is strongest at Miro, which has been producing without restrictions in recent weeks. Some suppliers have started exporting middle distillates to the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) hub to ease the pressure.
On 19 March, heating oil in the southwest traded at almost €20/100 litres below levels in the Cologne Lowland, currently Germany's most expensive region. Diesel in the southwest was discounted by about €12.70/100l compared with Berlin in the east. The regional spread for both products reached its widest since September 2022, when tight supplies — particularly shortages in southern and western Germany — drove unusually large price differences.
Weak demand is also evident across the rest of the country. Heating oil volumes reported to Argus on 19 March fell to their lowest since 1 November 2024, when activity was limited by the All Saints' Day holiday, which halted trading in five of the 11 regions.
End-users continue to delay non-essential purchases. Traders reported very little heating oil demand after a sharp price increase late last week triggered by renewed escalation in the US-Iran conflict. From 18-19 March, the nationwide average heating oil price rose by €12.80/100 l, reaching its highest level since the end of August 2022.

