The retail prices for all petroleum prices for Tongatapu will increase by 10 seniti/litre in the next month, the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development (MTED) advised.

The new petroleum prices will be effective tomorrow, 1 August as approved by the Tonga Competent Authority (TCA).

The surge in prices was caused by an Israeli strike on Iranian nuclear and military sites, until the last week of June when a ceasefire agreement was announced between the two countries.

Petrol prices increased in line with Brent crude between May and June. Diesel prices increased more than would have been expected given the Brent crude price increase.

This was due to the possible disruption to normal supply sources and routes if the Iranian/Israeli war had escalated, and was further supported by the onset of the northern hemisphere driving season.

Kerosene prices increased slightly more than would have been expected given the Brent crude increase due to the possible disruption to normal supply sources and routes if the Iranian/Israeli war had escalated.

Freight prices increased significantly when the Israeli/Iranian war broke out, primarily due to the concern over the safe navigation of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. 

Prices then eased following the ceasefire announcement.

The combined effect of higher international prices caused by the geopolitical unrest and the slight offset from the strengthened Tongan pa’anga, is an increase in wholesale prices for Tongatapu only (inclusive of consumption tax) as follows:

• Petrol: up by 9.60 seniti per litre
• Kerosene: up by 11.71 seniti per litre
• Diesel: up by 13.60 seniti per litre.

However, due to rounding up and down, the retail prices for all petroleum products for Tongatapu will increase by 10 seniti/litre.

The August 2025 price change is based on the June 2025 average of the published daily Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS) benchmark prices for product prices and freight, along with that month’s exchange rate.