Fuel Prices Drop Again in Tongatapu: A Welcome Relief as Cost of Living Pressures Mount
By Tonga Independent News | 29 May 2025
The government has released its latest fuel price schedule for June 2025, showing a further drop in retail prices across all fuel types in Tongatapu—bringing some much-needed relief to households grappling with rising food costs and broader cost of living pressures.
According to the official notification, effective from Tuesday, 3 June 2025, the retail price for:
- Petrol (PMS) has decreased to $310 seniti per litre,
- Diesel (ADO) to $310 seniti per litre, and
- Kerosene (DPK) to $230 seniti per litre.
These prices reflect a significant downward trend since December 2024, when petrol and diesel were retailing at $325 and $315 seniti respectively, and kerosene at $240. The sharpest drop has been in kerosene, which is widely used in low-income households for cooking and lighting, declining by 10 seniti over the six-month period.
The latest reductions are in line with international trends. Global crude oil prices have softened substantially in recent months, with Brent crude falling from over USD 74 per barrel in late 2024 to around USD 63 by May 2025. This has driven fuel prices down across the Pacific, including Tonga.
Positive Outlook for the Second Half of 2025
The global outlook suggests fuel prices will likely remain steady or continue to decline slightly over the next six months. The World Bank and other economic analysts are forecasting a subdued energy market, with commodity prices expected to drop further due to lower international demand, higher production outputs, and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties.
This is encouraging news for Tongan households already under strain from high food prices, which have been pushed up by import costs, weak local agricultural yields, and currency fluctuations. The fall in fuel prices could ease transport and logistics costs—two of the key drivers behind inflated supermarket prices.
Impact on Households
“With prices of everyday staples like rice, chicken, and flour going up, this drop in fuel prices gives us some breathing room,” said Saane, a mother of four shopping at Talamahu Market. “Even if it’s just a few pa’anga saved each week, it matters.”
Fuel prices are a critical component of the local economy, influencing everything from bus fares and food transportation to power generation and fishing costs. A continued decline could translate into more stable food pricing in the months ahead, helping families make ends meet as they face mounting financial pressure.
For more updates on economic trends and household support, follow Tonga Independent News.
