Petrol prices have fallen for a second consecutive month, but higher diesel and kerosene prices will add more pressure on households, transport operators and businesses from tomorrow.
The Tonga Competent Authority has approved new petroleum prices for September, effective Tuesday, 1 September.
On Tongatapu, petrol has fallen by five seniti to $3.80 per litre. Kerosene has increased by 20 seniti to $3.45 per litre, while diesel has risen by 30 seniti to $4.30 per litre.
The increases are also reflected across the outer islands, where fuel prices remain higher because of the additional costs involved in transporting petroleum products.
In Vava’u, petrol is priced at $3.90 per litre, kerosene at $3.55 and diesel at $4.40. In the Ha’apai islands, prices vary by location, with petrol ranging from $4.05 to $4.20 per litre and diesel between $4.55 and $4.70.
The highest prices are in the Niuas. Petrol is now $4.60 per litre in Niuatoputapu and $4.70 in Niuafo’ou. Diesel costs $5.10 per litre in Niuatoputapu and $5.20 in Niuafo’ou.
The latest adjustment means a difference of up to 90 seniti per litre for petrol and diesel between Tongatapu and Niuafo’ou, underlining the higher fuel costs faced by communities in Tonga’s most remote islands.
The latest changes follow reductions in fuel prices in July and August, when petrol prices fell alongside other petroleum products. September’s adjustment marks a divergence, with motorists benefiting from a small reduction in petrol prices while diesel and kerosene users face significant increases.
Diesel is widely used by commercial vehicles, machinery and businesses, meaning the increase could add to operating and transport costs. The rise in kerosene will also affect households that continue to rely on it.
According to information published on the September price review, international diesel and kerosene prices rose during July amid global supply pressures, while petrol prices remained relatively stable. Shipping costs were broadly unchanged, while the pa’anga weakened slightly against the US dollar.
