HARARE – Fuel prices went up on Monday, after two months of relative price stability, but shortages persisted across the country.
The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) announced that diesel and petrol prices had gone up by 9 percent to $19.55 per litre and 4.8 percent to $18.28 per litre respectively.
“Operators may however, sell at prices below the cap depending on their trading advantages,” said the authority.
Before the price increase, petrol was being sold at $17.44 per litre and diesel for $17.99.
Zera also announced the reduction in the level of petrol blending with ethanol on the market from E20 to E5.
As the names imply, ethanol fuel mixtures have “E” numbers which describe the percentage of ethanol fuel in the mixture by volume.
While the regulator did not immediately give a reason for the latest move, reductions have been a common feature over time depending on the availability of ethanol which is usually affected by rains preventing sugarcane harvesting.
Fuel has been in short supply since the New Year after the government flooded the market over the Christmas holidays. The shortages are attributed to foreign currency shortages, which are hampering imports.
Long queues are forming at service stations across the country, as motorists patiently await their turn at the pump.
