Transport operators are facing tighter margins this month following a surge in fuel prices that took effect early Wednesday, pushing wholesale diesel above 2024 levels despite softer oil markets and a firmer rand.
Diesel recorded the steepest hikes, increasing by between 66c and 83c a litre. Wholesale diesel (0.05% sulphur) will rise 66c to R19.79 a litre inland and R18.96 at the coast – up from R19.21 and R18.42 respectively in December last year. The premium low-sulphur (0.005%) grade has jumped almost 83c a litre.
Petrol, by contrast, rose by 29c a litre, taking 95 unleaded to R21.41 inland and R20.58 at the coast, slightly lower than the levels seen in December 2024.
This comes despite Brent crude easing from an average of US$64.14 a barrel to US$63.54 over the past month and the marginal strengthening of the rand from R17.29 to R17.23 to the dollar.
The DMRE attributed the surge in global petrol and diesel prices to unplanned refinery outages in the Northern hemisphere, which pushed refinery margins higher. South Africa’s growing dependence on imported refined fuels, following the closure of several local refineries in recent years, has left local prices increasingly exposed to international product movements, the department said.
Other adjustments include a 75c/l rise in the wholesale price of illuminating paraffin and a 24c/kg increase in the maximum retail price of LPGas, with a smaller 9c/kg rise in the Western Cape.
