South Africans may soon get a break from rising fuel prices. After months of increasing costs, a possible fuel price drop in May 2025 could bring much-needed relief to vehicle owners and families. Early reports from mid-April suggest that petrol, diesel, and paraffin might become cheaper next month.
This potential price cut comes as welcome news, especially as many households continue to deal with high living expenses. People who drive daily, transport goods, or use paraffin for cooking and heating will benefit from the savings. Although the final fuel prices will be confirmed by the end of April, the early forecast looks positive.
The expected decrease is mostly due to a stronger South African rand and lower global oil prices. These two major factors are working together to lower fuel import costs. Let’s look into why this change is happening, how much prices may drop, and what this could mean for everyday life.
Why Are Fuel Prices Expected to Drop?
There are two main reasons why South Africa might see lower fuel prices in May:
1. Stronger Rand Against the Dollar
At the beginning of April, the rand was weaker, with an exchange rate of around R19.93 per US dollar. This made importing fuel more expensive. However, the rand grew stronger through the month and reached R18.06 against the dollar. A stronger rand means it costs less to buy fuel from international markets, and this helps reduce prices locally.
2. Falling Global Oil Prices
Brent crude oil prices dropped to about $69 per barrel—almost 13% less than earlier in the month. The drop is mostly due to lower demand and higher supply. Countries in the OPEC+ group increased oil production, creating more supply. Meanwhile, global demand slowed because of economic concerns in countries like the US and China. When supply is high and demand is low, oil prices fall.
Forecasted Inland Fuel Prices – May vs April
The Central Energy Fund (CEF) provided estimates for May’s inland fuel prices. The changes seem small per litre, regular users—like taxi drivers, truckers, and families—could see big savings overall.
How Will This Affect South Africans?
Even a small drop in fuel prices can lead to useful savings for many people. Here are a few real-life examples:
- A 50-litre petrol tank will cost R7 to R9 less to fill.
- A trucker using 500 litres of diesel can save around R190 to R195.
- A family using 50 litres of paraffin could save R15.50.
These savings can also reduce transport and delivery costs, which could help lower the prices of food and other goods in stores. It’s a small but helpful change for many South Africans trying to manage everyday costs.