Steady exchange rate leads to drop in fuel price
"We expect petrol to drop by up to 38 cents a litre, diesel by 47 cents and illuminating paraffin by 26 cents," noted the AA.
![Consumers will have to dig deeper into their pockets as petrol prices are set to rise.](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/51/2018/02/petrol_43110.jpg)
MOTORISTS can breathe a sigh of relief as fuel prices are set to drop in March as South Africans benefit from a stable exchange rate and lower international fuel prices.
The Automobile Association (AA), commenting on unaudited month-end fuel data released by the Central Energy Fund, said in a report that the Rand was trading at around R12.00 to the US dollar at the start of February, and had gradually strengthened to an average level approaching R11.80 for the month.
Read also: Illegal abalone worth R2.3-million seized in Durban
“Over the same period, international fuel prices dropped sharply. Although they have subsequently climbed, the increase has been moderate enough for South African fuel users to see some benefit.
“We expect petrol to drop by up to 38 cents a litre, diesel by 47 cents and illuminating paraffin by 26 cents,” noted the AA.
The report added that if the Rand maintains its current stable trend against the US dollar, the main driver of fuel price changes in the near future will be international petroleum prices.
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter to keep up-to-date with local news