New petroleum prices that came into effect today, 16 January 2013,  have slightly decreased the cost of petrol, diesel, and kerosene thoughout Tonga.

In a statement, the Tonga Ministry of Commerce, Tourism and Labour, said the retail prices for January-February had decreased by 1.01 seniti per litre for petrol, while diesel and kerosene prices decreased by less than a seniti per litre.

The Ministry said the slight drop in prices since December was due to stable crude oil prices, while the Tongan Pa‘anga was also relatively steady against the US dollar.

The Competent Authority declared today that it had approved the new retail prices for petroleum for January and February.

Retail prices for Tongatapu are petrol $2.79 per litre, diesel $2.88 per litre, and kerosene $2.28  per litre. Wholesale prices are petrol $2.62 per litre, diesel $2.72 per litre, and kerosene $2.15 per litre.

Although the retail prices have decreased slightly since December 2012, the prices remain higher than they were at the same time last year, when in January-February 2012  petrol was $2.71 per litre; diesel $2.87 per litre; and kerosene $2.23 per litre.

Petrol prices are higher in the outer islands of 'Eua, Ha'apai and Vava'u, where today's new retail prices announced by the Competant Authority are, per litre:
'Eua petrol $2.83, diesel $2.93, kerosene $2.32;
Ha'apai petrol $3.01, diesel $3.11, kerosene $2.50;
Vava'u petrol $2.84, diesel $2.94, kerosene $2.33.