(Ecofin Agency) - The South African Energy Department on Monday, announced that the retail price of petrol in the country will rise by about 1% from the 4th of May, while the price of wholesale diesel will remain unchanged.

According to the department, the price of petrol will rise by 12 cents to 12.74 rand per litre, diesel will drop by 1 cents to 10.52 rand per litre, paraffin would drop by 9.00 cents per litre and liquefied petroleum gas will also reduce by 5.00 cents per kilogram, Reuters reports.

South Africa’s fuel prices are altered every month based on international and local factors.

The department cites the average increase in the prices of petroleum products in the global markets, and the strengthening of the rand against the US Dollar as the main reasons for the fuel price alterations in May.

Oil prices dropped on Monday as rising production in the Middle East overshadowed a drop in U.S. production.

Brent crude was trading at $46.77 per barrel, down 1.3 %, from its last settlement. U.S. crude was down 48 cents, at $45.44 a barrel.

The department noted that the prices of petrol rose more than the prices of diesel as a result of higher demand for petrol in USA and Europe.

Anita Fatunji