When does the withdrawal from mandatory stocks end?

The measure is authorised from 8 to 20 September 2026. If the situation continues, the Economic Supply Delegate and the DEFR may authorise further withdrawals through new ordinances. The hope is that the Cressier refinery will return to operation around mid-September, reducing pressure on inventories.

How much fuel can be drawn from stocks?

The withdrawal of 30,000 cubic metres of petrol and 30,000 cubic metres of diesel is authorised. Although they appear to be significant figures, they represent less than 3% of the total mandatory stocks for each product, preserving additional safety margins.

What happens if the refinery does not resume in time?

If the shutdown continues beyond mid-September, federal authorities may authorize additional withdrawals from strategic stockpiles. Mandatory stocks cover an average of 4.5 months of demand, providing a significant time buffer to ensure continuity.

Who owns the mandatory gasoline and diesel stocks?

Mandatory stocks belong to companies, not to the state. However, the federal government has the power to authorize the release of these reserves in the event of a temporary shortage of national supply.

By when do the collected fuels have to be reconstituted?

The quantities used from the compulsory stocks must be replenished within six months of the withdrawal of the measure. This reasonable period allows owner companies to import or produce new fuel to restore strategic reserves.

Petrol and diesel shortage: compulsory stocks taken (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 8 September 2026

Fuel storage facility in Switzerland with tanks and petroleum infrastructure

Cressier refinery stopped due to failure, limited Rhine transport. Authorized withdrawals of 30,000 m³ of gasoline and diesel between 8-20 September from mandatory stocks.

Context

In breve

Cressier refinery shut down due to technical fault, supply under pressure
Authorization to withdraw 30,000 m³ of petrol and 30,000 m³ of diesel from September 8 to 20
Quantities represent less than 3% of total mandatory reserves

Key facts

What: Withdrawal from mandatory reserves of petrol and diesel on federal authorization
When: September 8–20, 2026
Where: Switzerland, Cressier refinery (Canton Neuchâtel)
Who: Roland Pfister, delegate for Economic Supply
Amount: 30,000 m³ petrol + 30,000 m³ diesel
Percentage: Less than 3% for each product
Coverage: Mandatory reserves cover approximately 4.5 months of average demand
Replenishment: Within 6 months of the measure's revocation

The fuel supply situation in Switzerland has deteriorated in recent days. Roland Pfister, the Country's delegate for Economic Supply, has authorized the use of mandatory reserves of petrol and diesel from September 8 to 20 to ensure the continuity of supplies across the national territory. The withdrawal amounts to 30,000 cubic meters of petrol and 30,000 cubic meters of diesel. Although it may seem like a considerable figure, it represents less than 3% of the respective mandatory reserves for each of the two products.

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Operational details

How mandatory stockpiles work

Mandatory stockpiles represent a strategic buffer to ensure the security of national supply. In the case of petrol and diesel, they belong to companies and generally allow to cover approximately four and a half months of average demand for each product. This is a collective resource managed through a federal authorization system. Recourse to reserves is not new: when a temporary supply shortage occurs, the country's delegate for economic supply has the power to authorize the release of up to 20% of the mandatory stockpiles of a given product.

Role of the Confederation and competencies

This is an exclusive competency of the federal delegate for amounts up to 20%. If withdrawals exceeded this threshold, competency would pass to the Federal Department of Economy, Education and Research (SERI), which must authorize recourse through a federal ordinance. In the case of the current crisis, the authorized amounts (30,000 m³ per product) remain below the 20% threshold of total stockpiles, thus allowing delegate Pfister to decide independently without needing to involve SERI through a formal ordinance. This mechanism allows for a rapid response to emergencies without procedural delays.

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Key points

What does it mean concretely for citizens and businesses

Mandatory fuel reserves are designed to prevent tangible fuel shortages in the coming days. Although the measure does not guarantee an immediate return to normal prices, it should prevent situations where petrol and diesel are unavailable at gas stations in Switzerland. For transport and distribution companies, the measure provides relief during the refinery shutdown. However, it is possible that during the shortage period (until 20 September) retail price variations may be observed due to reduced availability and increased concentrated demand.

When and where to get information

Official communications on the supply status are published by federal institutional channels, particularly by the delegate for Economic Supply and the Federal Department of Economics, Education and Research. National media disseminate regular updates on refinery recovery and the overall situation. If the refinery does not return to operation by mid-September as planned, it is likely that the Swiss government will communicate new emergency measures, possibly resorting to further withdrawals from reserves. In that case, federal ordinances will communicate any changes promptly.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When does the withdrawal from mandatory stocks end?: The measure is authorised from 8 to 20 September 2026. If the situation continues, the Economic Supply Delegate and the DEFR may authorise further withdrawals through new ordinances. The hope is that the Cressier refinery will return to operation around mid-September, reducing pressure on inventories.
How much fuel can be drawn from stocks?: The withdrawal of 30,000 cubic metres of petrol and 30,000 cubic metres of diesel is authorised. Although they appear to be significant figures, they represent less than 3% of the total mandatory stocks for each product, preserving additional safety margins.
What happens if the refinery does not resume in time?: If the shutdown continues beyond mid-September, federal authorities may authorize additional withdrawals from strategic stockpiles. Mandatory stocks cover an average of 4.5 months of demand, providing a significant time buffer to ensure continuity.
Who owns the mandatory gasoline and diesel stocks?: Mandatory stocks belong to companies, not to the state. However, the federal government has the power to authorize the release of these reserves in the event of a temporary shortage of national supply.
By when do the collected fuels have to be reconstituted?: The quantities used from the compulsory stocks must be replenished within six months of the withdrawal of the measure. This reasonable period allows owner companies to import or produce new fuel to restore strategic reserves.