Pricing diesel in a falling market

If you don’t have diesel pre-purchased yet, when do you pull the trigger? In light of the current demand situation — hey there, global pandemic — one analyst says it may be prudent to hold off for a bit.

Let’s start with demand. Without a doubt, the global response to COVID-19 is having a huge impact on not just the price of oil, but the overall demand for all fuel products, diesel included, says Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis with GasBuddy.

Prices at retail have tanked in the last week, with the U.S. price sliding 10 cents a gallon and Canadian diesel prices falling even more with at least a seven-cent dip per litre.

It’s an eye-opening drop, De Haan says, and adds that if you buy diesel at retail, you may want to hold off a little longer.

There are a few hiccups on the supply side — a continuing strike at the Co-op Refinery at Regina, for one — but on the grand scheme of things, there isn’t any significant disruption for supply…yet.

Dropping ethanol prices have led to some plants being mothballed, and that’s not beyond the realm of possibility for some diesel production, De Haan says.

Listen below for the full interview between Patrick De Haan and RealAg Radio host, Shaun Haney: 

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