The price of petrol is to increase by 27 cents a litre from Wednesday, the minerals and energy department announced on Friday.

The wholesale price of diesel with 0.3 percent sulphur will go up by 16 cents a litre and that with 0.05 percent by 17 cents a litre.

Illuminating paraffin's wholesale price is set to rise by 15 cents a litre, and 20 cents a litre in the Single Maximum National Retail price (SMNRP).

Factors influencing the price of fuel included increases in the average international product prices of petrol, diesel, and illuminating paraffin, and changes in the rand/dollar exchange rate during the review period (July 1 to 28), the department said in a statement.

From August 3, unleaded 95 octane petrol in Gauteng will cost R5.66, leaded 93 octane R5.62, and leaded 97 octane R5.69 a litre. It will be slightly cheaper at the coast.

While the wholesale price of diesel is regulated, the retail price is not, and the actual cost per litre could vary from filling station to filling station.

The SMNRP for illuminating paraffin will be R5.45 cents a litre.

Sapa

SA economy South Africa is the economic powerhouse of Africa, with a gross domestic product four times that of its southern African neighbours and comprising 25% of the entire continent's GDP.

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