MIAMI. — The American Automobile Association (AAA) reported a new increase in the price of gasoline in Florida, which it attributed mainly to the conflict between Israel and Iran in the Middle East.
Gasoline prices in the Sunshine State saw a notable increase last week, rising 13 cents at the beginning of the week, although they fell 6 cents in later days.
The average cost of gasoline in Florida at the end of Sunday was $3.58 per gallon, according to a table of values from AAA.
Although the price is currently 14 cents lower than the same period last year and 2 cents higher than a month ago, experts do not rule out the possibility that the price will reach $4 if tensions between Israel and Iran escalate and other factors.
Oil volatility
Mark Jenkins, AAA spokesman, commented that “volatility in the oil market has contributed significantly to the increase in prices at the pump in recent weeks.”
“Oil prices have been reacting to rising geopolitical tensions between Israel and Iran, and OPEC’s decision to extend production cuts, in an effort to reduce global fuel supply,” he said in a press release.
As he explained, about half of the price of gasoline is influenced by the cost of oil, which has seen an increase since mid-March, going from an average of $75 to almost $84 per barrel, keeping the state average above of 3.50 dollars.
Nationally, the average price of gasoline is $3,673 per gallon, showing a similar trend to Florida, spurred by cost volatility driven by global factors.
Prices in Florida
At the regional level, the higher prices They are found in the metropolitan markets of West Palm Beach-Boca Raton ($3.77), Naples ($3.71) and Homosassa Springs ($3.65), while the cheapest are seen in Crestview-Fort Walton Beach ($3.29), Panama City ($3.31) and Pensacola ($3.32).
AAA recommended drivers adopt cost-saving measures such as combining daily tasks to reduce driving time, compare prices, pay in cash to avoid additional charges and keep the vehicle in good condition to optimize fuel consumption.
For more details on current gasoline prices and economizing tips, those interested can visit the website GasPrices.AAA.com.
