Fuel prices were recently reviewed and the new prices became effective on the 5th of November. As always operators can sell petroleum products below the prescribed prices depending on their trading advantages. Blended petrol now costs US$1.40 whereas diesel now costs US$1.38. In local currency, blended petrol now costs ZWL$138.70 and diesel is now at ZWL$136.44. I thought to put together some graphical illustrations of fuel price trends for 2021 in Zimbabwe.

2021 Fuel Price Trends In US Dollars

MonthBlended PetrolDiesel
Jan1.211.23
Feb1.261.27
Mar1.301.32
Apr1.321.34
May1.321.33
Jun1.331.30
Jul1.371.33
Aug1.371.33
Sep1.381.34
Oct1.401.38
Nov1.401.38

 

2021 Fuel Price Trends In Zimbabwe Dollars

MonthBlended PetrolDiesel
Jan99.35100.91
Feb104.82105.58
Mar109.17110.41
Apr112.96117.77
May112.62111.43
Jun112.55110.54
Jul117.07114.29
Aug117.07114.29
Sep118.42115.15
Oct123.71122.13
Nov138.70136.44

This means in US dollars, the price of blended petrol has increased by 16 per cent since January 2021. As for diesel, it has increased by 12 per cent. In Zimbabwean dollars, the price of blended petrol has gone up by 40 per cent since January 2021. The price of diesel has gone up by 35 per cent over the same period. Contrast this with inflation as measured by Consumer Price Index according to ZimStat which is at 43.7% in the same period.  The increase, particularly in US dollar terms is cause for concern for motorists and business at large as it impacts logistics and therefore the cost of anything that needs to be transported.