Andorra Fuel Imports Drop 13.8% in May, Fifth Straight Monthly Decline

Fuel imports to Andorra dropped 13.8% in May 2026 to 9.66 million litres, marking the fifth consecutive monthly decline, according to figures from the Statistics Department released Thursday. Every fuel category recorded year-on-year falls, with domestic fuel leading at 44.4%, followed by vehicle diesel at 6.8% and unleaded petrol at 2.5%. Month-on-month, total imports fell 13.3% from April, as domestic fuel plunged 35.1%, vehicle diesel 8.9% and petrol 6.8%.

For the January-May period, cumulative imports totalled 67.63 million litres, down 5.3% from 71.44 million the previous year. Vehicle diesel saw the largest drop at 8.6%, with petrol off 3.1% and domestic fuel 2.5%. Over the trailing 12 months, imports reached 160.18 million litres, a 1.9% decrease from 163.30 million; petrol was the exception, up 2.6%, while vehicle diesel fell 4.7% and domestic fuel 0.8%.

Seasonally adjusted figures indicate unleaded petrol rose 0.3% over four months, vehicle diesel eased to a 0.7% decline with signs of recent recovery, and domestic fuel continued down 1% across five months.

The trend stems from reduced demand, especially from Spanish tourists who have shifted to fuelling at home following Madrid's late-March tax reductions, which eliminated Andorra's price advantage over Spain—though not over France. Domestic fuel declines also reflect seasonal patterns, with many households delaying heating refills until autumn in hopes of lower costs. Broader energy imports, including electricity, fell 7.7% in value to €62.05 million for January-May, while overall imports rose 3.8% to €801.58 million, boosted by construction materials up 31.7%, jewellery up 38.8% and diverse goods up 19%, despite drops in beverages and tobacco and electronics.

Rising global prices, linked to tensions in the Persian Gulf and conflict involving Iran, have kept Andorra's pump prices elevated year-on-year despite the volume slump. May averages showed 95 octane petrol at €1.610 per litre, up 1.4% from April and 24.1% from May 2025; 98 octane reached €1.670 with similar gains. Standard vehicle diesel averaged €1.682, down 2.9% monthly but up 43% annually, while premium stood at €1.713. Delivered heating diesel was €1.362, down 1.2% monthly and up 48.1% yearly; shop-sold heating diesel averaged €1.313, off 0.7% monthly and up 50.9%. January-May averages exceeded 2025 levels by 6.2-16.6%, with 12-month vehicle diesel up 4.1-4.4% and heating diesel 6.4-6.9%, though petrol edged down 0.8%.