Trade conditions in South Africa: The impact of Middle East conflict on fuel prices and inflation

Trade conditions remained under pressure in June, according to the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) Trade Conditions Survey – June 2026 released on Tuesday.

Trade conditions remained under pressure at a seasonally adjusted 36 points in June, according to the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) Trade Conditions Survey released on Tuesday.

However, experts believe that conditions may improve later in the year.

Sacci said that the war in the Middle East negatively affected trade conditions as it impacted fuel supply and rapidly rising crude oil prices.

“Crude oil prices peaked at some $119 (R1,960) at the end of April 2026. This had a marked effect on not only fuel prices at the pump but escalated throughout the supply chain with a pronounced effect on the inflation rate.”