In recent weeks, we've been asked often why the price of heating oil rises and falls at a different rate to the price of fuel in our forecourts.
The reason is that there is a difference between the two fuels and what market they come from – and, because of this, there is vast difference in the effect on the price.
The short answer is that the price of heating oil (kerosene) is driven by the global aviation fuel markets (jet fuel), rather than the crude oil price that leads forecourt prices.
In simple terms:
Heating oil = kerosene, which is the same refinery cut as jet fuel.
Jet fuel markets are:
far smaller (supply is tight)
much more export‑dependent
more affected by the Hormuz chokepoint
less flexible in refining
more sensitive to conflict‑driven risks
Forecourt fuel and diesel:
have larger, more resilient global markets
are produced in much higher volumes
have more flexible refining pathways
are shipped through more diversified routes
As a result, kerosene prices move with jet fuel, not with crude oil, and therefore spike more sharply when aviation-specific supply chains are disrupted.
Here is a graph from February into March which explains how the current increase looks:
The Jersey Consumer Council is urging Islanders to stay vigilant after reports of a new scam in which fraudsters are sending text messages claiming recipients have outstanding parking fines.
We know travel rules can sometimes feel confusing, so here is a straightforward guide to help you understand what you’ll need when travelling from Jersey, depending on where you are going and the passport you hold.
The latest figures from Statistics Jersey show that while the overall cost of living has risen by 2.8% over the past year, one of the biggest increases has been in the cost of heating oil and motor fuels, highlighting the importance of shopping around before filling up or ordering home heating oil.
According to the latest Retail Prices Index (RPI), heating oil and other fuels increased by 53.5% over the 12 months to June 2026, while petrol and oil rose by 18.0%.
If you’re travelling to Europe this summer, you may face longer queues at airports than normal because of new border control procedures now being used across most Schengen Area countries, called the Entry and Exit System (EES).
Islanders who do not want their basic personal information shared with UK credit reference agencies have until the end of the day on Wednesday (29 July) to opt out before the new system comes into effect.
From 30 July, the Government of Jersey will begin securely sharing the name, residential address and date of birth of Jersey residents aged 18 and over with the UK credit reference agencies Experian and Equifax.
With summer travel in full swing, many passengers could face delays, cancellations and last-minute disruption. At the Jersey Consumer Council, we regularly hear from consumers who assume that a delay is simply 'one of those things'. In reality, passenger rights can be stronger than many people realise.
Opinion Poll
The Jersey Consumer Council frequently asks Islanders to take part in polls on a range of topics.
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