Here’s how much fuel prices have soared this year

It’s been a shocking year for motorists in Mzansi. Fuel levies have increased, the rand has wobbled and oil prices don’t know whether they are coming or going. These major factors have seen the petrol price increase for nine of the 12 months in 2019 – we’re even finishing the year with an expected 11-cent-per-litre rise.

Petrol price in South Africa for December 2019

According to the AA, diesel and illuminating paraffin will get cheaper. But petrol users won’t feel any Christmas cheer. Bah Humbug, we say…

“The rand / US dollar exchange rate has remained fairly flat throughout November, contributing around a six-cent drop per litre. However, the prices of refined petrol and diesel, which usually track each-other’s movements, but with a fair gap between their prices, have showed an altogether different picture recently,”

“This has led to the unusual situation where diesel is set for a quite substantial decrease of 23 cents a litre, while petrol will increase by 11 cents a litre. Illuminating paraffin, which tends to shadow the diesel price, will also be down, by 25 cents a litre.”

AA statement

Petrol price increase over the past year

A turbulent 12 month-period started off so well, but a few major disruptions have put South Africans out of pocket when they’re at the pump. These key dates dictated the tale of the tanks:

Five key takeaways:

• The asterix (*) in the table is based on the AA’s latest forecast. The official December price is yet to be confirmed.