UASA Media Release: 07 May 2025
Statement by Abigail Moyo, spokesperson of the trade union UASA:
The decrease in fuel prices that took effect early this morning is excellent news for motorists, commuters, and businesses, especially those in agriculture.
According to the Department of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (DPMR), the decline in petrol prices is due to a significant drop in global oil prices, combined with the strengthening of the rand against the dollar.
Lower fuel prices provide financial relief to South Africans and substantially impact inflation, which affects the overall cost of living.
The official fuel prices announced by the DPMR are as follows:
- Both grades of petrol have decreased by 22 cents per litre.
- Diesel 0.05% (wholesale) has decreased by 42 cents per litre, while diesel 0.005% (wholesale) has decreased by 41 cents per litre.
- Illuminating paraffin has decreased by 31 cents per litre, but LP Gas has increased by 46 cents per kilogram.
For the agriculture sector, the lower cost will help reduce production costs during increased fuel demand due to the summer crop harvest and the planting of winter crops. Fuel accounts for nearly 13% of input costs in grain production.
UASA is pleased that this decrease in fuel prices will help contain food inflation and overall headline inflation, providing the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) with the opportunity to lower or maintain interest rates at beneficial levels for consumers.
We hope economists’ expectations of an additional fuel price cut in June will help keep inflation rates low enough to allow for further interest rate cuts this year.
For further enquiries or to set up a personal interview, contact Abigail Moyo at 065 170 0162.