Fuel price UPDATE: Mid-month forecast grim for petrol, diesel in October

The early petrol and diesel projections from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) paint a grim picture for October 2023 for South Africa’s motorists.

Note: This is an updated article with the latest petrol and diesel projections

This news comes on the back of massive price hikes for both petrol and diesel earlier this month, as reported by The South African website.

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The reason for the increase is due to both Russia and Saudi Arabia cutting production recently and extending that decision until the end of 2023. As a result the dollar has strengthened against the rand.

Below, the latest projections as received by The South African website from the CEF, effective Thursday, 14 September 2023.

If these market conditions were to remain consistent for the remainder of the month – an unlikely scenario with the rand/dollar exchange rate ever fluctuating and the oil price changing – an increase of 115 cents is expected for petrol 93 octane motorists and an increase of 122 cents for 95 users.

Meanwhile, diesel motorists would see something around a 193 to 203 cents per litre increase.

Finally, illuminating paraffin is expected to increase by 187 cents.

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 $94.41 a barrel.

Exchange rate

At the time of publishing the rand/dollar exchange rate is R18.96/$.

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The final overall price changes for both petrol and diesel will be confirmed in the weeks ahead with the new prices coming into effect at midnight on Tuesday, 3 October.

Go easy on the accelerator until then, Mzansi.

The current SEPTEMBER 2023 petrol and diesel prices (Inland and Coastal):