The World Is Struggling to Make Enough Diesel

  • Crude production cuts have been detrimental to diesel supply
  • Refineries have sought to satisfy demand surge for other fuels

The PCK Schwedt oil refinery iin Schwedt, Germany.

Photographer: Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg
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The world’s oil refiners are proving powerless to make enough diesel, opening a new inflationary front and depriving economies of a fuel that powers industry and transport alike.

While oil futures are rocketing — on Friday they were just below $95 a barrel in London — the rally pales in comparison with the surge in diesel. US prices jumped above $140 to the highest ever for this time of year on Thursday. Europe’s equivalent soared 60% since summer.