Petrol, kerosene, and diesel prices have increased for February-March starting today, 16 February, as approved by the Tonga Competent Authority.

The wholesale price will increase by 11.13, 6.95 and 7.60 seniti/litre for petrol, kerosene, and diesel respectively. All price changes include consumption tax. 

On Tongatapu, retail prices for petrol, kerosene, and diesel are 265.34, 164.40, and 262.87 seniti/litre respectively.

The Tonga Competent Authority stated that all product prices increased with the price of crude oil tracking upward in January, with petrol rising slightly more due to demand recovery in China and India.

Comparing the January month average prices with December 2020: 

• Crude oil (Dated Brent) was up by USD 5.09/bbl (10.1%); 
• Petrol was up by USD 6.58/bbl (12.3%); 
• Kerosene was up by USD 4.14/bbl (7.7%); and 
• Diesel was up by USD 4.53/bbl (8.2%). 

The freight rate also increased by 14.6% but when combined with the Worldscale Flatrate [2] (WSFR) change there is little overall impact. The Tongan Pa’anga has remained stable.

Those factors combined resulted in the increase in local retail prices for all products.