Toothpaste or fried chicken? What will you sacrifice amid fuel price hike?

Consumers were dealt yet another hefty blow with a major fuel price hike that kicked in at midnight on Tuesday.

The inland price of 93 and 95 octane petrol went up by R1.08 and R1.14 respectively to R25.22 and R25.68, with diesel now costing R25.22 (50 ppm) and R25.02 (500 ppm), R1.94 and R1.97 more, respectively.

Reasons for fuel price hike

The fuel price hike is a result of higher oil prices, a weaker rand exchange rate and the implementation of 30.7 cents per litre in line with the self-adjusting slate mechanism rules.

While it usually takes months for higher fuel prices to reflect on the price of goods, the hike will take a bite out of every consumer’s wallet at the pumps.

The Citizen Motoring has worked out what it will cost to fill up six cars from today. And we’ve chosen one grocery item you’ll have to give up to afford the higher fuel prices.

Fuel price hike sacrifices

Renault Kwid – Tub of toothpaste

This popular little hatchback has a 28-litre petrol tank. Filling it up from empty today with 93 octane petrol will cost R30 more after the fuel price increase. That is about what you’ll pay for a decent tub of toothpaste.

Corolla Cross – Jar of peanut butter

The hybrid version of the Toyota crossover SUV is fitted with a 36-litre petrol tank. From Wednesday, owners will have to fork out R907 to fill it up with 93 octane, an increase of R42 over the September price. This is more or less the going rate for a 400 g jar of peanut butter at your local grocer.

ALSO READ: Empty pockets ahead: Fuel price hike a blow to SA’s ailing economy

Hyundai Venue – Box of cereal

Filling up the turbocharged version of this compact SUV’s 45-litre fuel tank with 95 octane petrol now costs R1 155, R51 more than before. Tell your children there will be one 350 g box of their favourite chocolate-coated cereal less in the grocery cupboard this month.

Haval Jolion – 7 kg potatoes

Yesterday it cost R1 398 to fill the Jolion’s 57-litre petrol, a price that went up to R1 463 today. This R95 could have been spent on a 7 kg pocket of potatoes at today’s market prices.

ALSO READ: Fuel price hike: Here’s how much you’ll have to pay to fill up different types of cars

Isuzu D-Max – Bucket of fried chicken

This bakkie’s fuel tank has a 76-litre capacity. That would mean that filling it with 50ppm diesel from Wednesday will cost R146 more. You will lose out on a nine-piece bucket of fried chicken at your favourite takeaway restaurant for that amount.

Defender – Bottle of brandy

The D250 model of the Land Rover Defender comes with an 89-litre diesel tank, which will cost a hefty R171 in October. The bad news for brandy drinkers is that the fuel price hike will mean one less 750 ml bottle of fermented grape juice to watch the rugby with.

To see a breakdown of the monthly fuel pricing over the last 15 years, visit the AA’s website.