Fuel crisis grows in Portugal: Employment warning from the business world

The fact that the diesel price in Portugal exceeds the limit of 2 euros per liter does not only increase the fuel bill of drivers. From transportation to agriculture, from textiles to the metal industry, companies warn that rising energy costs could have an impact on prices, investment and eventually employment. The government announced that supports, including ISP discounts, will continue. ECO

How much has diesel increased?

According to the figures announced by the government on September 7, the liter price of diesel increased from 1,596 euros on February 27 to 2,029 euros.

The increase is approximately 43.3 cents/litre.

The government argues that the increase in the EU average in the same period was 44.9 cents and that the movement in Portugal is close to the European trend. Portuguese Government

How much does this cost the company?

The example given by AIP President José Eduardo Carvalho to ECO is quite illustrative.

Assuming a 14-15 cent increase in diesel, approximately 15,000 euros/year can be added to the direct fuel costs of a company that consumes 100,000 liters per year. ECO

However, the objection of the companies is not only the money they pay at the pump.

Fuel cost:

transportation → distribution → raw material → production → store

It enters many points of the chain.

Therefore, there is a risk that the increase will be transferred to the final consumer price.

Could market prices also increase?

This is not automatic.

A company can cover the increased cost from its own profit margin, reflect it in its price, or find a solution in between.

However, AEP President Luís Miguel Ribeiro says that if cost pressure lasts for a long time, companies' margins, investment decisions and the level of activity in some businesses may be affected. ECO

On the agricultural side, CAP Secretary General Luís Mira is more blunt: he argues that producers may have no choice but to pass on the increased costs to customers. ECO

Claim of 60 million euro additional burden in agriculture

According to CAP's calculations, the cost increase in agricultural diesel since March is approximately 60 million euros for the sector.

CAP argues that state support is far below this and states that the rise in fertilizer prices also puts a strain on the producers. ECO

It is important to note that this figure is an industry representative calculation and is not an independent government statistic.

Stricter energy warning from the textile industry

The old #10 news we chose should actually be included here.

According to ATP President Ricardo Silva, the cost of industrial gas has nearly doubled from a year ago, and electricity has nearly tripled.

ATP says that textile and clothing companies, in particular, have difficulty transferring the cost increase to the customer, and this seriously reduces industry margins. ECO

Therefore, the fuel crisis is not just gas station news; It also concerns Portugal's export-oriented production sectors.

What did the government do?

According to the government's statement, the discount applied through ISP is currently 23 cents per liter for gasoline and diesel, including VAT. Portuguese Government

Also:

- 10 cents/liter support for agricultural diesel is extended,

- Within the scope of botija solidária, bottled gas support continues at 25 euros until the end of the year,

- There are additional measures on the transport, taxi, IPSS and professional diesel side.

The government states that the cost of the ISP mechanism has exceeded 700 million euros since February. Portuguese Government

These are the accounts announced by the government; Business organizations argue that current supports are not sufficient. It is necessary to distinguish the positions of the two sides.

What can the driver do today?

Since fuel prices may vary from station to station, it is not right to shop based on the "diesel in Portugal is 2,029 euros" figure alone.

ENSE publishes official fuel price information so that consumers can compare market prices.

Sources Reviewed

ECO — Patrícia Abreu & Mónica Silvares — September 8, 2026 — Original news and images ECO

Governo de Portugal — Fuel subsidies and official figures Portuguese Government