{"id":853999,"date":"2026-03-16T10:07:18","date_gmt":"2026-03-16T08:07:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=853999"},"modified":"2026-03-16T10:08:01","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T08:08:01","slug":"here-is-the-expected-petrol-price-for-april-7","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/energy\/853999\/here-is-the-expected-petrol-price-for-april-7\/","title":{"rendered":"Here is the expected petrol price for April"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Motorists are in for a world of pain in April, with mid-month data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) pointing to steep price hikes for petrol and diesel on top of incoming tax increases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the CEF&#8217;s mid-March data, petrol and diesel prices are showing staggering under-recoveries, owing to the ongoing war in the Middle East.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Petrol prices are showing an under-recovery of 387-427 cents per litre, while diesel has breached the R7\/l mark, with an under-recovery of 704-715 cents per litre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If these prices hold through April, Petrol 95 will reach R24.57 (inland), levels last seen in March and April 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The highest Petrol 95 has ever reached was R26.74 per litre in July 2022, the year that Russia invaded Ukraine, which directly followed the market chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These are the projected levels at mid-month:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Petrol 93:<\/strong> <mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">increase<\/mark> of 387 cents per litre<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Petrol 95:<\/strong> <mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">increase<\/mark> of 427 cents per litre<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Diesel 0.05% (wholesale): <\/strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">increase<\/mark> of 704 cents per litre<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Diesel 0.005% (wholesale):<\/strong> <mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">increase <\/mark>of 715 cents per litre<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Illuminating paraffin: <\/strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">increase<\/mark> of 899 cents per litre<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The CEF does not provide daily snapshot data for LP Gas, so it is not currently possible to provide an expected price for the coming month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The daily snapshots from the CEF are also not entirely predictive of the final fuel price adjustments, and the numbers may change by the end of the month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Department of Petroleum and Mineral Resources only announces the final price a few days before the implementation date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the data provides a strong indication of where prices are headed and reflects current market trends for the first half of the month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Notably, nothing short of government intervention or a market miracle would spare motorists from the coming hikes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Appeals have been made to the government to intervene, similar to measures taken in 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This saw the government temporarily reduce the general fuel levy by R1.50 per litre. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As things currently stand, however, the government will be going the opposite direction, adding 21 cents per litre to fuel taxes, exacerbating the painful blow that&#8217;s coming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Petrol-price-recoveries-mid-March-26.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"170\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Petrol-price-recoveries-mid-March-26-1024x170.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-854001\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Petrol-price-recoveries-mid-March-26-1024x170.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Petrol-price-recoveries-mid-March-26-300x50.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Petrol-price-recoveries-mid-March-26-768x127.jpg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Petrol-price-recoveries-mid-March-26-1536x255.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Petrol-price-recoveries-mid-March-26.jpg 1779w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Oil prices surge<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The main driver of the massive under-recovery in fuel prices is the surge in the cost of international product prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These prices are mainly tied to the global oil price and refining costs. As an importer of refined petroleum products, South Africa suffers greatly from this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After trading below $60 a barrel at the start of the year, oil prices have risen sharply to above $100 a barrel, currently trading around $106.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The surge comes as a direct result of the United States and Israel&#8217;s bombardment of Iran, which has resulted in military escalations and war in the Middle East.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Key to the mess is the Strait of Hormuz. The strait is one of the world\u2019s most crucial energy chokepoints, where an average of about 20 million barrels per day is shipped through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is roughly 20% of global petroleum liquids consumption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The war has cut shipping through the strait, with more recent escalations further choking vital ports in the surrounding regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In a sign of how the war is squeezing global crude supply, the IEA said Sunday that oil from an unprecedented stockpile release will be made available immediately in Asia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/International-products.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/International-products-1024x360.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-854003\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/International-products-1024x360.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/International-products-300x105.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/International-products-768x270.jpg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/International-products-1536x540.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/International-products.jpg 1767w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rand takes a hit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Reflecting the wider global turmoil, the rand&#8217;s winning streak over the last few months has also been cut short, with the unit trading around R16.85\/$ after hitting below R16\/$ last month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The rand has remained resilient, however. While the unit has followed emerging markets in weakening amid the war, it has also benefited from a boost in commodities like gold and platinum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Investors have pulled out of riskier markets and moved into safe havens. Fortunately for South Africa, this includes gold, one of its key exports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The country also stands to gain from shipping being rerouted around the Cape to avoid the blockages in the Middle East.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;The rand has always been sensitive to global risk appetite. Investors will be forced to sell riskier, high-volatility investments to shore up their portfolios and trades, potentially,&#8221; said ETM Analytics in a research note.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;For now, the rand remains on the defensive, and that trading action is likely to extend through the week ahead.&#8221; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Exchange-rate-mid-march-26.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"337\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Exchange-rate-mid-march-26-1024x337.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-854004\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Exchange-rate-mid-march-26-1024x337.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Exchange-rate-mid-march-26-300x99.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Exchange-rate-mid-march-26-768x253.jpg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Exchange-rate-mid-march-26-1536x506.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Exchange-rate-mid-march-26.jpg 1759w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>This is how the price changes are expected to reflect at the pumps (Diesel prices reflect wholesale, pump prices will differ), including and excluding the 21 cents per litre tax hikes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><div class=\"table-responsive\"><table class=\"table\" class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Inland<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>March Official<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>April Expected<\/strong> <br>(excl. tax hike)<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>April Expected<\/strong> <br>(incl. 21cpl tax hike)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>93 Petrol<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">R20.19<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">R24.06<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">R24.27<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>95 Petrol<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">R20.30<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">R24.57<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">R24.78<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Diesel 0.05% (wholesale)<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">R18.53<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">R25.57<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">R25.78<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Diesel 0.005% (wholesale)<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">R18.60<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">R25.75<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">R25.96<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Illuminating Paraffin<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">R12.54<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">R21.53<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">&#8211;<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><div class=\"table-responsive\"><table class=\"table\" class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Coastal<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>March Official<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>April Expected<\/strong><br>(excl. tax hike)<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>April Expected<\/strong> <br>(incl. 21cpl tax hike)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>93 Petrol<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">R19.40<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">R23.27<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">R23.48<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>95 Petrol<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">R19.47<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">R23.74<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">R23.95<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Diesel 0.05% (wholesale)<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">R17.70<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">R24.74<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">R24.95<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Diesel 0.005% (wholesale)<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">R17.84<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">R24.99<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">R25.20<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Illuminating Paraffin<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">R11.52<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">R20.51<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">&#8211;<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Motorists are in for a world of pain in April, with mid-month data from the CEF pointing to prices back over R24 a litre.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":851081,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9874],"tags":[8995,22148,2923],"class_list":["post-853999","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-energy","tag-cef","tag-diesel-prices","tag-petrol-prices"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/853999","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=853999"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/853999\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":854013,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/853999\/revisions\/854013"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/851081"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=853999"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=853999"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=853999"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}