Get the latest petrol and diesel price in South Africa, updated monthly. See inland vs coastal rates, why prices change, and what it means for your budget.

Petrol & Diesel Price in South Africa This Month

Fuel prices affect nearly every household budget in South Africa, whether directly at the pump or indirectly through transport costs baked into groceries, deliveries, and services. Because petrol and diesel prices are adjusted on the first Wednesday of every month, South African motorists have learned to check in regularly rather than assume last month’s price still applies.

Here’s the latest breakdown, how the price is set, and what’s likely driving the next adjustment.

Current Fuel Prices – Effective 1 July 2026

Fuel Type	Inland Price (per litre)	Coastal Price (per litre)
Petrol 93 (ULP/LRP)	R25.94	R25.07
Petrol 95 (ULP/LRP)	R26.10	R25.23
Diesel 0.005% (50ppm)	R25.17	R24.30
Diesel 0.05% (500ppm)	R24.79	Varies by retailer
Illuminating Paraffin	Wholesale price decreased R5.23 this cycle	—

Petrol prices above are the official regulated retail benchmark set by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) and apply uniformly within each pricing zone. Diesel is sold at a wholesale list price only — retailers set their own final pump price and margins, so actual diesel prices at the pump will vary slightly by station and region. This table reflects the adjustment effective 1 July 2026; check the DMPR’s monthly announcement (usually released a few days before the first Wednesday) and update this table each month, since this is the single most important thing search visitors are looking for on this page.

This cycle brought welcome relief: petrol 93 dropped by R2.01 a litre and petrol 95 by R1.96, while diesel fell by R3.14 (500ppm) and R3.59 (50ppm) — among the larger single-month decreases of the year, driven mainly by softer Brent crude prices and a steadier Rand.

How South Africa’s Fuel Price Is Actually Set

Unlike most retail goods, petrol prices in South Africa are regulated rather than set independently by fuel companies. The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy calculates the monthly adjustment based on a review period covering roughly the prior month, factoring in:

• International oil prices — particularly Brent crude, since South Africa imports the bulk of its refined and crude petroleum products
• The Rand-to-US-Dollar exchange rate — since oil is priced in dollars, a weaker Rand directly increases the cost of imported fuel regardless of what oil itself is doing
• Fuel levies and taxes — a combination of general fuel levy, Road Accident Fund levy, and other statutory charges added at the wholesale level
• Transport and logistics costs — which is why inland provinces like Gauteng typically pay more than coastal regions, since fuel has to be transported inland from the coastal refineries and ports

Diesel is technically wholesale-regulated, meaning retailers have some flexibility on final retail margins, while petrol pricing is more strictly controlled end-to-end.

Why Inland Prices Are Higher Than Coastal Prices

If you’ve ever noticed that fuel costs more in Johannesburg or Pretoria than in Durban or Cape Town, this isn’t a pricing gimmick — it reflects the real cost of transporting fuel from coastal refineries and import terminals to inland storage depots. The difference is built into the official monthly price schedule and applies uniformly by region rather than by individual station.

What Drives Month-to-Month Changes

Three factors typically explain why fuel prices go up or down each month:

1. Global oil supply and demand — geopolitical instability, OPEC+ production decisions, and global demand shifts all move Brent crude prices, which flow directly into South Africa’s fuel costs.
2. Rand strength or weakness — even if oil prices stay flat, a weakening Rand makes imported fuel more expensive, and a strengthening Rand can offset rising oil prices.
3. Policy changes — temporary levy relief, adjustments to the general fuel levy, or other government interventions can shift prices independently of the market.

How to Budget Around Fluctuating Fuel Prices

• Track the monthly announcement – the DMRE typically releases pricing data a few days before it takes effect, giving you a short window to fill up before an increase.
• Fill up strategically – if a price increase is expected, topping up in the final days of the current month can save a noticeable amount over a full tank.
• Factor fuel into your broader budget, not just transport, since delivery and logistics costs tied to fuel price changes eventually show up in grocery and retail pricing, too.
• Compare inland vs coastal if you’re relocating or travelling – the gap between regions is consistent enough to factor into cost-of-living comparisons.

Final Word

South Africa’s fuel price isn’t something any single retailer controls, which makes it one of the most predictable — yet still impactful – costs to track. Because it’s reviewed and adjusted monthly based on clear, published criteria, the smartest approach is simply checking back around the first Wednesday of each month rather than assuming prices are fixed. Bookmark this page for the latest update each month.