South Africa Increases Petrol and Diesel Prices Starting Wednesday

The Department of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (DMPR) in South Africa has announced adjustments to fuel prices, effective from Wednesday. The changes include increases for various fuel types, driven by international market trends. The government has extended reductions in the general fuel levy to mitigate the impact on consumers.

Petrol 93 and 95 (ULP and LRP) will increase by R3.27 per litre. Diesel with 0.05% sulphur and 0.005% sulphur will both rise by R6.19 per litre. Illuminating paraffin wholesale prices will go up by R4.22 per litre, with the single maximum national retail price for illuminating paraffin increasing by R5.63 per litre.

dollars to 101 U.S. dollars during the review period. This increase stems from tensions between the United States and Iran, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and damage to key infrastructure affecting crude oil supply. International product prices followed this trend, with middle distillates like diesel and paraffin seeing larger increases due to higher demand and reduced supply from the Persian Gulf.

These factors contributed to higher basic fuel prices: R2.04 per litre for petrol, R4.96 per litre for diesel, and R4.21 per litre for illuminating paraffin. Propane and butane prices also rose due to limited global supply following the Strait of Hormuz closure.

The rand remained stable against the U.S. dollar, adding less than one cent per litre to the basic fuel prices.

The maximum retail price for LPGas will increase by R5.07 per kilogram in Gauteng and R5.78 per kilogram in the Western Cape. To ease the burden on consumers, the government extended a R3 per litre decrease in the general fuel levy for petrol and a R3.93 per litre reduction for diesel.

These measures aim to offset some of the international price pressures. Fuel price changes in South Africa are typically reviewed monthly, based on global oil market dynamics and currency fluctuations. Consumers, including motorists and households using paraffin and LPGas, will face higher costs for transportation and energy needs.