Fuel Price Hikes Affecting South African Holidaymakers
As if the holiday season wasn’t already expensive enough, South Africans who planned to travel for their festive getaways are facing an unexpected challenge.
Fuel prices have been hiked just as many are gearing up for road trips to celebrate the holidays.
Starting January 1, 2025, both petrol and diesel prices saw significant increases, adding extra costs for those heading out on the road.
What to Expect at the Fuel Pump
If you’re planning to travel in the coming days or weeks, you’ll need to budget for higher fuel costs.
Whether you’re traveling inland or to the coast, fuel prices increased across the board as of New Year’s Day.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that schools will reopen on January 15, meaning heavy traffic is likely to intensify as more people return from their holidays.
Unfortunately, there’s no way around it—if you’re driving, you’ll have to stop and refuel along your route.
The News You Don’t Want to Hear
The recent price hikes came as a result of two factors: the global rise in petrol prices and the weakening of the rand against the dollar.
The Department of Petroleum and Mineral Resources confirmed that these hikes are due to an under-recovery of prices, mainly caused by the international oil market and exchange rate fluctuations.
This marks the second consecutive month of fuel price increases, leaving many South African motorists feeling the pinch.
Specifically, petrol prices have gone up by 12 to 19 cents per litre, while diesel prices have risen by 7.5 to 10.5 cents per litre.
The Breakdown of Price Changes
Here’s a quick look at the new fuel prices:
- Petrol 93: Increase of 19 cents
- Petrol 95: Increase of 12 cents
- Diesel 0.05%: Increase of 7.5 cents
- Diesel 0.005%: Increase of 10.5 cents
- Illuminating Paraffin: Decrease of 9.5 cents
The Factors Behind the Price Hikes
Fuel prices in South Africa are influenced by two main factors: global oil prices and the exchange rate between the rand and the dollar.
Oil Prices
At the time of writing, the price of brent crude oil is $74.87 per barrel, contributing to the rise in fuel costs.
Exchange Rate
Additionally, the rand/dollar exchange rate is sitting at R18.78 to the dollar, which also impacts the cost of importing fuel products.
When Will Fuel Prices Change Again?
If you’re hoping for a price drop soon, you’ll have to wait a while.
The next round of fuel price changes is scheduled for Tuesday, February 4, 2025.
Until then, it’s probably best to go easy on the accelerator and plan your fuel stops accordingly.
The New January 2025 Fuel Prices
Here’s a breakdown of the new fuel prices for both inland and coastal regions:
Inland Prices (January 2025)
- Petrol 93: R21.34
- Petrol 95: R21.59
- Diesel 0.05%: R19.29
- Diesel 0.005%: R19.44
- Illuminating Paraffin: R13.26
Coastal Prices (January 2025)
- Petrol 93: R20.55
- Petrol 95: R20.80
- Diesel 0.05%: R18.50
- Diesel 0.005%: R18.68
- Illuminating Paraffin: R12.26
Final Thoughts
It’s clear that the start of 2025 has brought some tough news for motorists in South Africa.
With fuel prices rising and traffic set to increase in the coming weeks, drivers will need to plan accordingly.
Here’s hoping for better news when the next fuel price adjustments are made on February 4.
Stay safe on the roads, Mzansi!