Overview
- Regional benchmarks have tumbled in June, with Asia‑Pacific Tapis around US$76 a barrel and India's import basket slipping below US$70, easing wholesale pressure on retail fuel.
- Australia will halve its temporary fuel excise from 32¢ to 16¢ a litre from July 1, a move that is expected to add roughly 16¢/l to pump prices when retailers pass it on and has prompted a rush by motorists to fill up now.
- The UAE and South Africa have published lower official retail rates for July, with the UAE cutting monthly pump prices and South Africa announcing petrol falls of about R1.96–R2.01/l and larger diesel reductions.
- India's crude costs have fallen but immediate petrol and diesel cuts are unlikely because state refiners and oil marketing companies are still recovering earlier losses and the government has absorbed large fiscal relief costs.
- Competition watchdogs in Australia and the UK have warned they will scrutinise forecourt pricing for unfair pass‑through or profiteering, and falling fuel costs could ease household budgets and reduce some inflationary pressures if savings reach consumers.