Some good, some bad news for fuel in April

Unaudited fuel data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) is pointing to possible increases of around 25cents/litre to petrol prices in April. Commenting on the data, we note that the good news, however, is that the data is showing a decrease to the wholesale price of diesel of around 20c/l, and a significant decrease to the price of illuminating paraffin of around 68c/l.

The weaker Rand to US Dollar exchange rate is contributing to the increases in petrol and clawing back some of the decreases to diesel and illuminating paraffin, with lower international oil prices having the reverse effect.

This data is mid-month, so the numbers should change positively before the official adjustment is made by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy at month end.

The second factor is that the Rand appears to be steadying against the US Dollar, which should bring further relief in specifically the petrol prices.

Another consideration is that fuel levies will not be increasing in April and will stay at the same rate as they did in 2022.

Fuel levies are traditionally increased in April, but the Minister of Finance heeded calls by the AA and in his February, Budget Speech indicated that this will not happen this year.

The official adjustment of the fuel prices comes into effect on 5 April, the first Wednesday of April.

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Please note that the Automobile Association (AA) does not regulate nor adjust fuel prices in South Africa, nor does it have any input in how the fuel prices are calculated. Fuel prices are officially calculated and adjusted on the first Wednesday of every month by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy. The DMRE is the only entity which regulates, sets, and adjusts fuel prices in South Africa. The AA publishes outlooks and fuel price commentary based on publicly available information and communicates movements to the fuel price in the interest of informing our Members and consumers.