Fuel prices in Samoa have risen sharply from 1 May 2026, with petrol, diesel and kerosene all increasing under the latest monthly retail fuel price adjustment.
The Ministry of Finance advised that the VAGST-inclusive prices for 1 May to 31 May 2026 are $3.51 per litre for petrol, $4.50 for diesel, and $4.05 for kerosene. Petrol has increased by 66.3 sene per litre from $2.85, diesel by 141.3 sene from $3.09, and kerosene by 135.0 sene from $2.70.
The Ministry’s price chart shows May as the highest point for petrol and diesel prices in the June 2025 to May 2026 period.
The Ministry linked the increase to the USA-Iran conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The conflict has affected crude oil and refined petroleum prices worldwide, placing pressure on many countries that rely on imported fuel.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important oil routes. The International Energy Agency says an average of 20 million barrels per day of crude oil and oil products was shipped through the Strait in 2025, equal to around 25 percent of the world’s seaborne oil trade. The IEA also says nearly 15 million barrels per day of crude oil passed through the Strait in 2025, representing nearly 34 percent of global crude oil trade.
Any disruption in that route can quickly affect oil markets, shipping costs and fuel supply chains. Reuters reported that analysts have lifted oil price forecasts as the Iran war continues to affect energy markets, with Brent crude reaching above US$120 a barrel.
The Ministry said the Government is working with its contracted fuel supplier and Petroleum Products Supplies Ltd, the onshore distributor, to maintain supply. Additional fuel cargoes are scheduled for loading in Singapore in early May and June.
The main concern is diesel. It is used in freight, buses, fishing vessels, generators and heavy machinery, so the increase can raise costs across other parts of the economy.
Kerosene has also risen sharply, moving above four tala per litre. Petrol users will also face a higher cost at the pump, with the new price sitting at $3.51 per litre for May.
This article is based on a fuel price notice issued by the Ministry of Finance for Samoan media, dated 1 May 2026.
