SA Petrol price increase on cards for December says AA

...as the Rand slips further , South Africans are faced with higher fuel prices

THE retail price of petrol (both 93 and 95) was set to increase by 22 cents a litre on Wednesday, according to South Africa’s Department of Energy. Inland, the price of 95 octane unleaded petrol was expected to be R16.30 per litre. At the coast, the price of 95 ULP was expected to jump to R15.66 per litre. Diesel with 0.05 percent sulphur content was expected to fall by 14.95 cents per litre, while diesel with sulphur content would be down by 15.95 cents per litre. The price of diesel inland was expected to be R14.53 per litre, and R13.99 at the coast. The wholesale price of illuminating paraffin was set to decrease by 17.95 cents a litre and the maximum retail price for LPGAS to increase by 102 cents per kilogram. Illuminating paraffin would cost R9.23 per litre inland and R8.56 per litre at the coast. According to the department, economic factors impacting the petrol price increase, included the average international product prices for petrol having increased in November, while that of diesel and illuminating paraffin decreased. Furthermore, the rand appreciated against the US dollar on average during November. The Automobile Association (AA), which earlier in November predicted a petrol price rise and diesel price decrease for December, said petrol price increases at this time of year will come as bad news for many people who will be travelling on holiday in December. However, in its view, the drop in the diesel price means input costs in, for instance, the manufacturing and agricultural sectors remain relatively untouched in relation to fuel costs, which is good news.