What’s happening with the Iran war and oil prices?
This year, rising fuel prices are no longer just something you shake your head at on the news. They are very much a day to day business problem. And for florists, where margins are already tight and delivery plays a big role in the service we offer, pretending fuel costs are someone else’s problem can quietly eat away at profitability. So, what’s happening and how will the war in Iran & rising fuel prices affect florists?
Fuel prices have surged worldwide due to conflict driven instability around the Strait of Hormuz, a major chokepoint that handles around one fifth of global oil supply. When there is even a hint of disruption to that route, global oil markets wobble and prices respond fast. That ripple effect quickly reaches petrol stations here in the UK.
Each week, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero publishes updated pump price statistics. The most recent report for the week commencing 30 March 2026 shows a clear jump in fuel costs across the UK.
According to the RAC fuel watch, the UK average pump prices are now:
- 157.71 pence per litre for unleaded petrol
- 190.62 pence per litre for diesel
What does the Iran ceasefire actually mean for fuel prices?
A temporary ceasefire has eased markets slightly, with crude prices dropping below $100 a barrel. However, this does not mean fuel is suddenly cheap again.
The ceasefire is temporary and conditional, oil prices remain high, and any reduction at UK petrol stations is likely to be slow and modest.
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said “The conditional ceasefire announcement may have taken some heat out of global oil prices, but the outlook for drivers in the UK remains highly uncertain. The best hope in the short term is that pump prices stop rising at the rate they have been and hopefully top out in the coming days. Much will depend on the stability of the ceasefire, whether oil shipments can move freely through the Strait of Hormuz, and the longer‑term impact on oil production across the Gulf. As it is a sustained lower oil price – over several weeks, not just a few days – that is required to bring wholesale fuel costs down meaningfully.”
What these rising UK fuel prices mean for your delivery costs
With diesel around £1.90 per litre and unleaded close to £1.58, florists face higher costs when filling up. Making us think about when to refuel, routing deliveries, same day deliveries, and rural logistics. Even small increases quickly squeeze margins.
Hints and tips for cutting delivery costs
There is no silver bullet, but a couple of small changes can genuinely help.
Make sure the van leaves full
Not heading back for orders that should really have been made up the day before. Every unnecessary return trip costs fuel, time and patience. It is easier said than done, but when it works, it really works.
Use same day delivery to your advantage
Give customers a clear choice that makes sense for your business.
- Same day delivery at a slightly higher rate
- Next day delivery at your normal rate
In Flowers by Nattrass, we charge an extra £1.50 for same-day deliveries. Delivering one bouquet costs far more than delivering several on the same route. Even so we will make a loss every time the van leaves the yard with only 1 delivery on it. Encouraging customers to fit into efficient delivery patterns helps protect your time and your margins. Be open and explain why, encouraging them to take the cheaper option. If they need the same-day option, they’ll pay the difference.
Know your numbers.
Our spreadsheet queen, Amy, created our delivery calculator spreadsheet back in 2022. It was created for you to input all your vehicle costs, comparing them to your delivery revenue, allowing you to get a real idea of whether you’re covering your costs. It is now more prevalent than ever you know how the Iranian war is affecting your florist.
You can download Amy’s Delivery Revenue vs Cost Calculator for free by filling in a short form. The calculator shows what your van really costs each month, what you need to charge per delivery to break even, and whether delivery is currently making or losing you money.
Fill in the form, get the spreadsheet, and take control of your delivery pricing. We hope this helps you and your business, but if you need anything at all, keep in touch.
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Read our original blog from 2022 here.