Kamal Ghorui
The UAE has officially announced petrol and diesel prices for April 2026, with motorists set to face a steep increase of up to nearly Dh2 per litre, marking one of the sharpest monthly hikes in recent years.The new rates were approved by the UAE Fuel Price Committee and confirmed on March 31, 2026, in line with the country’s monthly fuel price revision mechanism. The surge reflects escalating global crude oil prices amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and supply disruptions.
UAE fuel prices in April 2026
Driven by global crude oil benchmarks reaching multi-year highs, these changes represent one of the most substantial month-on-month increases in recent history. Below is the official breakdown of the new prices effective from April 1, 2026:
| Fuel Grade | March 2026 Price (Per Litre) | April 2026 Price (Per Litre) | Price Increase |
| Super 98 | Dh2.59 | Dh3.39 | +Dh0.80 |
| Special 95 | Dh2.48 | Dh3.28 | +Dh0.80 |
| E-Plus 91 | Dh2.40 | Dh3.20 | +Dh0.80 |
| Diesel | Dh2.72 | Dh4.69 | +Dh1.97 |
Global oil surge drives UAE rates
The UAE’s fuel pricing is directly linked to global oil markets, and the April hike reflects a sudden spike in crude prices worldwide.In recent weeks, oil prices have surged close to the $115–$120 per barrel range, driven by heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and concerns over supply disruptions, particularly around key shipping routes such as the Strait of Hormuz.Market volatility has intensified due to ongoing regional conflict, pushing up refining and transportation costs globally. Diesel, in particular, has seen sharper increases worldwide, which is mirrored in the UAE’s latest pricing.
UAE’s monthly review system
Since deregulating fuel prices in 2015, the UAE has followed a market-linked pricing system. The UAE Fuel Price Committee reviews and announces updated rates at the end of each month, based on the average global price of oil and refined fuel products.This mechanism ensures that local fuel prices reflect international market conditions with minimal delay. As a result, any sudden spike in global crude prices is quickly passed on to consumers, as seen in the April revision.
Fuel price trend
Fuel prices in the UAE remained relatively stable through much of 2025 and early 2026, even declining during certain months due to softer global oil demand.However, March 2026 marked the beginning of an upward trend, with prices still below Dh2.60 per litre for petrol. The April increase, therefore, represents a sharp turnaround, pushing petrol prices well above Dh3 per litre in a single revision cycle.
