Andorra Fuel Imports Drop 3.3% in July Despite Rising Prices

Fuel imports to Andorra dropped 3.3% in July from the previous year, reaching 11.8 million litres across all categories, according to the latest Estadística department figures. The decline marked a milder decrease than in prior months, signalling early recovery linked to mid-July government price reductions.

Breaking down July's imports, automotive diesel totalled 7.25 million litres, down 2.4% year-on-year, while unleaded petrol fell 5.7% to 3.66 million litres. Domestic fuel imports dropped 5.7%. Compared to June, overall volumes rose 22.4%, driven by a 32.2% jump in automotive diesel and 27.6% in unleaded petrol, though domestic fuel imports declined 32.5%.

The trend reflects the impact of Spain's fiscal measures, which eroded Andorra's price advantage and reduced demand from Spanish customers and even some locals who crossed to La Seu d'Urgell. Drops were sharper earlier: 15% in April, 13.8% in May, and 18.5% in June, exceeding one million litres each month.

Government action from 15 July—15 cents per litre off petrol and 10 cents off diesel—reversed the slide midway through the month, boosting sales as the price gap with Spain widened again. Spanish visitors have returned to Andorran stations, though full recovery awaits August data, when discounts narrow to 10 cents for petrol and 5 for diesel.

Year-to-date through seven months of 2026, imports stood at 89.05 million litres, a 6.7% decrease from 95.4 million in 2025. All categories declined: automotive diesel by 9%, unleaded petrol by 5.3%, and domestic fuel by 4%. Over the past 12 months, totals reached 157.58 million litres, down 4.1% from 164.40 million.

Prices in July averaged lower month-on-month—95-octane petrol at €1.464 (down 5.9%), 98-octane at €1.525 (down 5.7%), automotive diesel at €1.469 (down 5.2%)—yet rose 8-26% year-on-year, with shop heating diesel up 36.1%. Subsidy cuts began mid-July, pushing diesel above €1.60 and petrol near €1.50 amid elevated Brent crude prices from Middle East tensions. Further reductions start 1 August, with diesel aid ending 1 September and petrol 1 October.

Andorran pumps remain about five cents cheaper per litre for petrol and six cents for diesel than Esclat Oil in La Seu d'Urgell. Spain's national subsidies end 30 September. The Finance Ministry continues work on distributor compliance refunds.