Consumers will pay more for petrol, kerosene, and diesel with new prices approved by the Tonga Competent Authority, starting today, 18 March. 

For March - April 2019, the wholesale prices for petrol, kerosene and diesel have increased by 7.69 seniti/litre, 9.05 seniti/litre, and 12.48 seniti/litre respectively.

In Tongatapu, the retail price for petrol is 257.05 seniti/litre, kerosene 194.17 seniti/litre, and diesel 277.27 seniti/litre. In Vava'u, the retail price for petrol is 262.26 seniti/litre, kerosene 199.74 seniti/litre, and diesel 282.47 seniti/litre.

The large price increase is due to higher crude oil prices because of increasing demand from countries (mainly China) who are stocking up before their US Iranian sanction waivers expire in May with reduced OPEC led production cuts.

In addition, the Tonga Pa’anga has been steady despite a slightly weakened freight rate.

LPG price drops

Consumers on Tongatapu and Vava’u will enjoy cheaper LPG over the next three months starting from today, 18 March.

The Tonga Competent Authority (TCA) has approved the new price which dropped by 0.52/kg in Tongatapu, 0.53/kg in Vava’u, resulting in the new LPG retail price of $3.91/kg and $3.98/kg respectively.

However, in the main towns of Ha’apai, ‘Eua, and Niua, the TCA has approved implementing retail price control with an add on of 1.90/kg, 1.21/kg and 2.34/kg respectively. The LPG retail price is $5.81/kg for Ha'apai, $5.12/kg for 'Eua, and $6.25/kg for Niua.