Petrol price prediction for May gets BETTER after tariffs paused

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The latest data shows that more good news could lie ahead for motorists in South Africa next month.

As reported by The South African website, vehicle owners in Mzansi saw a sizeable decrease in the cost of both petrol and diesel earlier this month.

However, subsequent to that, Donald Trump’s controversial trade tariffs played havoc with markets around the world.

While the rand has weakened significantly, it has strengthened in recent days.

In addition, the brent crude oil price has plummeted.

Below, the latest projections as received by The South African website from the Central Energy Fund (CEF), effective Friday, 11 April.

FUEL	PRICE CHANGE
Petrol 93	decrease of 13 cents
Petrol 95	decrease of 16 cents
Diesel 0.05%	decrease of 36 cents
Diesel 0.005%	decrease of 37 cents
Illuminating Paraffin	decrease of 29 cents

If the market conditions were to remain consistent for the remainder of the month – an unlikely scenario with the rand/dollar exchange rate fluctuating and the oil price ever changing – a decrease of 13 cents is expected for petrol 93 octane motorists and a decrease of 16 cents for 95 users.

Meanwhile, diesel motorists would see something between a 36 and 37 cents per litre decrease.

Finally, illuminating paraffin is expected to drop by 29 cents in price.

FUEL PRICE IN SOUTH AFRICA IMPACTED BY TWO MAIN FACTORS:

1. The international price of petroleum products, driven mainly by oil prices

2. The rand/dollar exchange rate used in the purchase of these products

Oil price

At the time of publishing the brent crude oil price is $65.21 a barrel.

Exchange rate

At the time of publishing the rand/dollar exchange rate is R18.88/$.

The final overall price changes for both petrol and diesel will be confirmed early next month with the new prices taking effect at midnight on Tuesday, 6 May 2025.

Go easy on the accelerator until then, Mzansi.