Featured Data Additions: November 2025

ENERGY → Petroleum → Petroleum Product Prices Including Pump Prices → South Africa

Fuel prices for South Africa were added to ENERGY. Prices for petrol, diesel, kerosene and LPG are available for inland and coastal regions. These 7-day daily data are sourced from the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) and start in January 2013. The DMRE is the government body responsible for setting and announcing monthly adjustments to the regulated fuel prices which take effect every first Wednesday of the month.

Chart: On the morning of Wednesday, Nov 5th, South Africa’s fuel prices were cut across the board. Inland prices for petroleum-based fuels saw a rather large cut of R0.51c/l, while diesel motorists saw a smaller cut of R0.21c/l. Kerosene and LPG prices were also slashed. Despite a sudden surge in oil prices in late October, a strong month for the rand compared to the US$ helped materialize the price cut.

GLSECTOR → Selected Indicators by Country/Special Areas → Indonesia → Agricultural Production

Agricultural production statistics for Indonesia were added to the GLSECTOR database. This table reported in thousands of metric tons includes some of the major commodities like rubber, palm oil, and sugar cane. Monthly data are sourced from Badan Pusat Statistik and start in January 2009.

Chart: While the rubber production sector is economically important and employs millions, it faces challenges like declining productivity per hectare, low prices, and stagnant demand over the last decade. On the other hand, palm oil is more profitable, leading farmers to convert rubber plantations to oil palm. The commodity benefits from high global demand, government support, and favorable cultivation conditions, driving its expansion.

EMERGEPR → Vietnam → National Accounts → Spending on Research & Development

Spending on research and development statistics for Vietnam were added to EMERGEPR. Series reported in billions of dongs are available by funding sources, by field of study, and by area of activity. Annual data are sourced from the National Statistics Office of Vietnam and start in 2015.

Chart: R&D spending in Vietnam has risen from 0.36% of GDP in 2015 to 0.43% in 2021, and stands at 0.42% as of 2023. Despite the slight upward trend, the scale and structure of R&D investment still lags behind regional and global peers. In contrast, China allocates 2.63% of GDP to R&D, enabling rapid technological advancement. The Vietnamese government has set a goal of increasing R&D investment to 2% of GDP by 2030 – without it, the country risks being trapped between low-cost manufacturing economies and high-tech powerhouses.

ENERGY → Electricity → Area Price by Region → Japan Electric Power Exchange

Electricity trading statistics for Japan were added to the ENERGY database. Wholesale spot electricity market prices for 9 Japanese regions are available, along with a table for contract buying and selling volumes. These 7-day daily data are sourced from the Japan Electric Power Exchange and start in April 2005.

Chart: Differences in electricity prices between eastern and western Japan are caused by the separation of the country's grid into two separate systems with distinct operating frequencies. Western Japan has seen more efficient nuclear reactor restarts and a higher concentration of solar power, which contributes to lower prices. Prices in eastern Japan can have a risk premium associated with the continued delays of nuclear reactor restarts. The region also relies more heavily on expensive thermal generation.