Northern Ireland petrol and diesel prices: Petrol has now dropped 45.9p to 144p since peak last summer says Consumer Council

However, there are no guarantees the fall will continue, the Consumer Council has said.

The warning comes as the UK average price of petrol has fallen below 150p per litre for the first time in more than 10 months.

Figures from data company Experian show the average price of a litre of the fuel at UK forecourts on Monday was 149.7p.

Diesel’s UK average price on Monday was 172.2p per litre, down nearly 27p compared with the record 199.1p last July.

Peter McClenaghan, director of infrastructure and sustainability at the Consumer Council of Northern Ireland, said: “It is good news for consumers that unleaded petrol and diesel prices have fallen since they peaked last summer.

“However, as we import all our petrol and diesel supplies Northern Ireland is at the mercy of volatile global oil markets meaning it is difficult to say with any certainty that price falls will continue.”

According to Consumer Council records, the average NI petrol price on January 5 was almost 5p below the latest UK average, at 144p. This was down 45.9p from a peak of 189.9p in June last year.

Similarly, the average NI diesel price was 7p cheaper than the UK average, at 165.2p. This is down 32.3p from a peak of 197.5p in June.

Mr McClenaghan said reasons for price differences include when the fuel was purchased by the retailer, the volume they purchased at a certain price and the business model of the station, which may discount fuel prices to get customers into their shop.

He said the Consumer Council has recently asked the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) for further analysis of the Northern Ireland market.

Commenting on average figures from right across the UK, the AA said the reduction of nearly 42p from the record high of 191.5p in July last year, is “a huge relief for drivers”.

But AA fuel price spokesman Luke Bosdet warned that road fuel is set for a 6p jump in March when the temporary fuel duty cut comes to an end.

He said indications of “rampant exploitation” must be addressed by the CMA.

l Check lowest prices in your area at www.consumercouncil.org.uk/fuelpricechecker/tool