TL;DR
- Fuel prices in August 2025 are likely to stay flat or see a slight increase.
- July saw one of the highest rates this year, driven by global oil trends.
- Final August rates will be announced on July 31, taking effect August 1.
Fuel prices in the UAE are watched closely. Not just by drivers, but by everyone, from delivery businesses to families managing monthly budgets. Prices affect how much we pay for transport, food, and just about everything else that moves.Right now, all eyes are on August 2025. After a steep rise in July, people are hoping for a break. Will prices finally ease off? Or are we looking at another bump?The official word will come out on Thursday, July 31. That’s when the UAE’s fuel price committee announces the new rates for petrol and diesel. The new prices will take effect on Friday, August 1.But based on how things look globally, and what’s happened so far this year, we might not see a big change. Here’s why.
Why Prices Might Stay Where They Are (Or Go Up Slightly)
So far, there’s no strong reason to expect a major drop. Here’s what’s playing into the current forecast:
- Summer Demand Is High: It’s the peak travel season. More people are on the road, both inside and outside the UAE. That usually pushes fuel demand up, which can hold prices steady, or even lift them a bit.
- Global Oil Prices Have Stabilized: Crude oil markets have been mostly calm lately. There haven’t been any sudden shocks or big supply cuts. But they also haven’t dropped much, so there’s no real pressure to cut prices locally.
- OPEC+ Is Watching Supply Closely: Major oil-producing countries have been signaling plans to slowly increase output. That could help balance prices over time, but any impact may be gradual rather than immediate.
Unless there’s a surprise, like a new geopolitical crisis or a big drop in global demand, it’s likely we’ll see prices remain roughly the same or inch up slightly in August.
A Look Back: UAE Petrol Prices So Far in 2025
To understand where we’re headed, it helps to see the full picture. Here’s a breakdown of how petrol and diesel prices have moved this year:1. January 2025: Fuel prices started the year at moderate levels:
- Super 98 – AED 2.61, Special 95 – AED 2.50, E-Plus 91 – AED 2.43, Diesel – AED 2.68.
2. February 2025 (highest prices so far): This was the peak month for fuel prices in 2025:
- Super 98 – AED 2.74, Special 95 – AED 2.63, E-Plus 91 – AED 2.55, Diesel – AED 2.82.
3. March 2025: Prices dipped slightly compared to February:
- Super 98 – AED 2.73, Special 95 – AED 2.61, E-Plus 91 – AED 2.51, Diesel – AED 2.77.
4. April 2025 (lowest prices so far): This month recorded the cheapest fuel of the year:
- Super 98 – AED 2.57, Special 95 – AED 2.46, E-Plus 91 – AED 2.38, Diesel – AED 2.63.
5. May 2025: Prices stayed mostly steady:
- Super 98 – AED 2.58, Special 95 – AED 2.47, E-Plus 91 – AED 2.39, Diesel – AED 2.52.
6. June 2025: Very similar to May, with minor adjustments:
- Super 98 – AED 2.58, Special 95 – AED 2.47, E-Plus 91 – AED 2.39, Diesel – AED 2.45.
7. July 2025 (second-highest prices): Prices rose again this month:
- Super 98 – AED 2.70, Special 95 – AED 2.58, E-Plus 91 – AED 2.51, Diesel – AED 2.63.
As you can see, July marked a clear jump in prices, especially compared to May and June. The reason? A mix of global uncertainty, oil supply speculation, and market volatility. As The National, a local media outlet, noted in a July report, geopolitical shifts and supply concerns played a role in pushing prices up.
What’s Next for Drivers?
The reality is, we won’t know the exact prices for August until the official update on July 31. But based on recent patterns and the wider oil market, there’s no strong reason to expect a big price drop. A small increase? Possible. A flat rate? Likely. A significant drop? Not very likely, at least not in August.Still, the UAE remains one of the top 25 countries with the lowest fuel prices worldwide, averaging around AED 2.58 per litre. Compared to many other countries, that’s still considered affordable.But with inflation and rising living costs globally, every dirham at the pump still counts. Even a 10 or 15 fils rise per litre adds up over a month for regular commuters.FAQs1. When will the UAE petrol prices for August 2025 be announced?The official announcement is expected on Thursday, July 31. The new prices will take effect on Friday, August 1.2. Why did petrol prices rise in July 2025?Global oil market instability, driven by geopolitical tensions, OPEC+ speculations, and changing demand, led to the second-highest fuel prices in the UAE this year.3. Could prices still drop later in the year?Yes. If global supply increases, demand falls, or oil prices dip sharply, we could see a decrease in the coming months. But for August, a drop is unlikely.
