Sun, 9 Feb 2025
22.7 C
Durban

Fuel prices head for record highs

Home Business Management Finance & Investment Fuel prices head for record highs

SOARING international oil prices have set the stage for yet another hefty hike in fuel prices. That’s the warning from the Automobile Association (AA), which was commenting on unaudited mid-month fuel price data released by the Central Energy Fund.

According to the AA, this is likely to translate into whopping month-end increases of up to 56 cents a litre for petrol, 47 cents for diesel, and 41 cents for illuminating paraffin.

“Oil prices advanced at a leisurely pace during January, but the increase has quickened since then. International product prices shot up by around eight percent in the first two weeks of February,” the association said in a statement.

On the plus side, it could be worse, with the AA noting that Rand/US dollar exchange rate has worked in South Africa’s favour, with the Rand strengthening around eight cents against the US dollar in February, “although this has been far from enough to offset the oil price”.

“If oil continues on this trajectory, South Africa’s fuel prices might edge back into record territory in the medium term. Fuel users also remain vulnerable to economic shocks which might weaken the Rand.”

Most Popular

First stage of large-scale dagga project underway

AN initial R100 million investment in an indoor cannabis cultivation project by Medigrow at the Coega special economic zone in Gqeberha got underway in...

January new vehicle sales spark optimism

NAAMSA | The Automotive Business Council expressed optimism that the positive momentum of the fourth quarter of 2024 continued into the first month of...

Key player left out of Industrialisation Think Tank

SEIFSA applauds the establishment of an Industrialisation Think Tank housed in the Department of Trade Industry and Competition (DTIC) but is concerned by the...

Agric minister campaigns for diversity as SA joins international treaty

MILLIONS of farmers in Africa cultivate traditional crop varieties, save seed for the following season and exchange seed with their neighbours and other farmers. Minister...