RoydadNaft –  Italy’s industry minister said the government has asked refiners to raise fuel output and help bring prices down.

According to Roydad Naft, citing Reuters, Adolfo Urso said that, with global supply disrupted, the Italian government will meet refining-company representatives next month to find ways to increase fuel production at home.

The U.S. and Israeli war against Iran and the Russia–Ukraine conflict have hit diesel supply and stopped millions of barrels a day of fuel from the Middle East and Russia. Inventories have fallen to their lowest levels and prices have risen to unprecedented highs. Diesel is essential for agriculture, industry, and heavy transport.

Jet fuel and gasoline prices have also risen and added to political tension worldwide.

Urso and Italian Energy Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin will meet company representatives on October 8, 2026. The group is expected to include state-owned Eni of Italy, Algeria’s state oil company Sonatrach, Azerbaijan’s SOCAR-IP, Italy’s Iplom, KPI, Alma Petroli of Italy, Ludoil Energy, Vitol-owned Saras, and Innovhub.

Participants will look at raising output of main products from domestic refineries to offset the current global fuel-supply situation.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, under pressure ahead of the 2027 general election to shield households and companies from higher energy costs, has spent about €3 billion ($3.41 billion) this year on a temporary cut in fuel duties.

Despite that effort, Industry Ministry data on Friday, September 25, 2026, showed gasoline and diesel still above the politically sensitive level of €2 a liter.

The duty cut expires on October 5, 2026. Pichetto Fratin has said the government cannot afford to extend it.

“We have to find a different way to deal with this,” he told Radio 24.

While Urso and Pichetto Fratin are pursuing cooperation with refiners, Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti and the right-wing League party want a windfall tax on energy companies to fund support measures.

Giorgetti would prefer a coordinated European Union step, but he has not ruled out a domestic levy as the government drafts the 2027 budget. Italy’s 2027 budget is due to be unveiled in October.