
Diesel Cracks Hit Record Highs as Middle East and Russian Supply Shocks Tighten Global Fuel Markets
Global diesel markets are experiencing unprecedented tightness, with refining margins reaching record highs due to simultaneous supply disruptions in the Middle East and Russia. The ICE gasoil crack hit $79 per barrel, while U.S. diesel cracks exceeded $100 per barrel, signaling severe immediate supply concerns. These spikes are driven by ongoing conflicts in Iran and Ukraine, which have stifled product exports and damaged refining capacity. Consequently, U.S. average diesel prices reached $5.68 per gallon, the highest since 2022, just 13.9 cents below the all-time record. Analysts warn that the global refining system lacks the slack to absorb these shocks, keeping prices elevated and volatile as seasonal demand rises. Refiners are expected to see doubled profits from this squeeze, while consumers face the most expensive Labor Day weekend on record for fuel costs.






