In its latest petrol price prediction for March 2020, the Automobile Association of South Africa (AA) on Friday said that there is some good news in store for motorists hoping for a petrol/diesel price drop.
“Steady declines in international oil prices have got the upper hand over a weakening Rand, setting the stage for fuel price reductions at month end,” the AA said.
It was commenting on unaudited mid-month fuel price data released by the Central Energy Fund.
Petrol price March 2020 prediction
“Petrol is currently showing a drop of between 14 and 25 cents a litre, diesel around 55 cents, and illuminating paraffin 66 cents.”
The AA says oil’s pullback since the start of the month has been quite marked.
“In the case of illuminating paraffin, the landed price of the fuel dropped by over 90 cents in two weeks. Similar positive effects have been noted on the other main liquid fuels.”
However, the Rand has weakened substantially over the same period, with the moving average against the US dollar slipping from just over R14.30 to R14.85.
“This reflects underlying weak economic sentiment in South Africa, and we share the view of many commentators that further weakening is likely,” the Association comments.
Fortunately, the Rand’s poor showing was not enough to take the shine off the reduction in the landed prices of fuel.
The AA says the trends from now to month-end would determine whether fuel prices could cling on to these gains.
“If the Rand continues to slip, we might see some reversal of the trend,” it concludes.