The Automobile Association says “sudden rand weakness” is set to transform South Africa’s expected fuel price reduction into an “across-the-board increase”.
Commenting on unaudited mid-month fuel price data released by the Central Energy Fund, the AA said “sudden rand weakness after a lengthy period of stability” had placed pressure on the fuel price, leaving local fuel users at the mercy of international oil markets.
Based on the current data, petrol is showing an increase of up to ten cents a litre, illuminating paraffin 12 cents, and diesel as much as 16 cents.
“International oil prices have dropped markedly since the beginning of the month, with crude oil having consistently traded below 60 dollars per barrel. In recent days though, there have been signs of an uptick, which could see fuel prices come under renewed pressure,” the AA said in a statement.
However, the Association added the rand had plummeted over the same period after trading within a “consistently narrow band” since June.
“We are concerned that there may be worse to come,” the AA said. “The South African economy is in a parlous state, with ongoing policy uncertainty and a growing debt burden. The country is ill-placed to weather its domestic challenges, let alone developments on the international front, and this leaves fuel users increasingly exposed to movements in the rand.”
