<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Australians who rely on diesel should brace for a "long tail" of </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/petrol-prices" rel="" target="_blank" title=" price hikes and shortages"><span>price hikes and shortages</span></a><span> ahead of a delayed supply crunch hitting our shores.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Around 87 per cent of Australia's diesel supply is imported – making us the world's largest importer – and while distance has provided a buffer </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/us-israel-iran-war-live-updates-april-23-donald-trump-latest-world-news-headlines/a233896c-f0d2-4024-bd3c-3cce661a51ab" rel="" target="_blank" title="from the Middle East oil crisis,"><span>from the Middle East oil crisis,</span></a><span> experts say the country is facing a lag on oil supply shock as demand in the Asia Pacific region soars.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Local reliance on diesel imports in the region could expose a belated supply squeeze on the fuel that farmers and agricultural communities need to keep moving, according to a </span><a href="https://ieefa.org/resources/managing-australias-diesel-squeeze" rel="" target="_blank" title="new report from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA)."><span>new report from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA).</span></a></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/ndis-changes-who-does-it-impact-families-worried-about-being-reassessed/12bf5759-a583-43bf-bb88-5f4a33ec1606" rel="" target="_blank" title="'Blanket wipeout': Families in fear as 160,000 face being booted off NDIS"><strong><span>'Blanket wipeout': Families in fear as 160,000 face being booted off NDIS</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"A prolonged crisis would put significant constraints on the ability of key diesel producers in the Asia-Pacific region to continue exporting it. Most Asia-Pacific countries would need to either slash their exports or even start importing to meet their domestic demand," IEEFA chief executive Amandine Denis-Ryan said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Diesel experienced higher increases and more volatility than petrol prices in Australia as the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz choked oil supply.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Denis-Ryan said diesel prices have tripled at the bowser in April 2026 compared to the start of the year.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/fuel-prices-australia-country-should-prepare-for-long-tail-of-diesel-supply-crunch/fde53705-c860-46e0-b71f-9e81242cee9e" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"While there was an approximate doubling in price for crude oil and petrol," she added.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/anthony-albanese-announces-extra-diesel-cargo-for-australia/4ed9791e-da22-47ba-a751-9a5ada757259"><strong><span>Over 200 million litres of extra diesel coming to Australia</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/pokies-loss-sounds-neil-walshe-fight-to-change-law-to-help-gambling-addicts/3337fa94-a633-47a2-a638-abbe1a3be3ce" target="_blank"><strong><span>Neil wants pokies machines to play 'losing sounds'. Here's why</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The average price of diesel has sunk to around $2.85 per litre in Australia after it soared to over $3.20 at the peak of the conflict in Iran.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>While prices are trending downward due in part to the government's pre-emptive action, this could change.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Australia's location means it may feel the crisis for longer than other countries, but it is also buying the country time to prepare for a possible diesel squeeze," Denis-Ryan said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The IEEFA has called on the government to ramp up efforts to conserve diesel in the agriculture, mining and rail transport communities.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This may include "fuel optimisation" solutions and a shift to electric vehicles (EV).</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"There are many opportunities to deliver fast improvements in fuel efficiency in road transport, particularly through eco-driving, speed reduction and improved maintenance and logistics," she added.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"In addition to helping mitigate any potential supply shortfalls, these initiatives would reduce the financial impact of the oil crisis on businesses."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><strong><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></strong></em><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><em><strong><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>Apple</span></strong></em></a><span> </span><em><strong><span>and</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>Google Play</span></strong></em></a></li><li><em><strong><span>Make 9News your preferred source on G</span></strong></em></li></ul></div></div>