South Africa’s petrol price dropped by 12 cents on Wednesday but raised the cost of other fuel, the Energy Ministry has announced.
The ministry said both grades of petrol decreased by 12 cents per litre but diesel increased between 92 cents and 98 cents per litre.
There was a hike of 79 cents and 82 cents a litre for lighting paraffin, it said, adding that the maximum cooking gas retail price will go up by at least 69c per kg.
According to the ministry, the prices increased “because there is still a shortage of diesel supply which is due to lower exports from Russia as a major exporter of distillate fuel, low inventories globally as well as higher demand for distillates.”
The Automobile Association (AA) of South Africa welcomed the decrease in the price of petrol, saying this would “offer some relief in the short-term.”
“Of concern, however, are the high increases in diesel, illuminating paraffin and cooking gas which will, undoubtedly, put extra financial pressure on millions of South Africans already struggling to make ends meet,” the AA said.
The AA added: “The price of illuminating paraffin is particularly worrying as this fuel is used for cooking, heating, and lighting — and the increase comes as South Africa enters winter.”
The cost of diesel is in record territory which will impact the economy as this is a major input cost in the manufacturing, road freight, agricultural, and mining sectors — and the price increases to diesel will be passed on to consumers, the AA said.
NM/jn/APA