UAE August 2026 Fuel Prices Due Thursday as Oil Rebound Clouds Outlook

Motorists in the UAE will learn on Thursday how much it will cost to fill up in August, when the country's Fuel Price Committee announces petrol and diesel rates for the new month. The revised prices are due to take effect from Saturday, 1 August, and this time the announcement carries more suspense than usual after a volatile month in global oil markets.

July brought welcome relief at the pump, with prices falling across every grade after four straight months of increases. The question now is whether that reprieve will last — and a late rebound in crude prices suggests it may not.

Where prices stand now

The current rates, in effect since 1 July and applying uniformly across all seven emirates and at ADNOC, ENOC and EPPCO stations, are shown below alongside June's figures. The August column will be confirmed by the committee on 31 July:

Why an increase looks more likely

UAE fuel prices are not set by any single day's oil price. Under the system in place since deregulation in September 2015, retail rates are based on the average of international crude and refined-product prices over the previous month, plus a fixed retailer margin. That means August's prices depend on where oil traded across the whole of July, not just at month-end.

July's cut reflected softer crude earlier in the month, when Brent, a leading global benchmark, dipped below $70 a barrel. Since then, however, prices have rebounded strongly, climbing for several consecutive sessions to around $95 to $100 amid renewed geopolitical tension. Analysts note that if oil held near those higher levels through the end of July, the higher monthly average could push August pump prices up.

According to analysis published by Gulf News, it remains too early to state with certainty that August prices will rise, precisely because the mechanism smooths out daily swings — but the probability of an increase has grown significantly compared with just a week earlier. In short, the recent rally tilts the odds toward higher prices, without guaranteeing them.

What it means for motorists

For drivers, the practical takeaway is modest but real. If prices rise, the increase is likely to be felt most by heavy commuters and businesses running diesel fleets, for whom even small per-litre changes add up over a month. Those with flexibility might choose to fill up before the new rates take effect on 1 August, though the saving on a single tank would be limited.

The confirmed Super 98, Special 95, E-Plus 91 and diesel rates will be announced on Thursday, 31 July, and take effect the following day. This report will be updated with the official figures as soon as they are released.