After three months of declining fuel prices brought relief to motorists, February is expected to bring major hikes across the board.
According to latest data from the Central Energy Fund, a weaker rand and higher international petroleum prices will push up diesel wholesale prices by up to 73c/l and retail petrol prices by up to 75c/l when the department of mineral resources & energy makes the official monthly adjustments on Wednesday.
The latest projected changes are in stark contrast to mid-month data, which indicated a possible increase of 9-14c/l.
After a peak in October, fuel prices have declined for the past three months due to lower international product prices and the rand strengthening against the dollar.
In January the retail price of 93-unleaded petrol decreased 62c/l and 95-unleaded 76c/l, while wholesale diesel prices saw even bigger drops of R1.26/l for 0.005% sulphur and R1.18/l for 0.05% sulphur.
On Friday the international price of Brent Crude oil rose to $78 after starting off the year at about $75 a barrel.
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