Official figures — September 2026. These are the confirmed prices published by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR), effective Wednesday, 2 September 2026. Petrol 93 and 95 both rose 134 c/l, diesel 500ppm rose 294 c/l, diesel 50ppm rose 315 c/l and illuminating paraffin rose 213 c/l. The previous official prices took effect on 5 August 2026.
Navigating fuel expenses shouldn’t be a guessing game. Whether you are budgeting for a daily commute, managing a commercial fleet, or simply trying to figure out the best day to fill up your tank, knowing the exact cost of fuel is critical.
This page serves as your central informational hub for the petrol price this month. Here, we break down the current official regulated prices, look ahead at upcoming forecasts, and provide the tools you need to calculate your monthly transport costs.
Petrol Price This Month: Latest View
The official South African fuel prices for September 2026 brought a broad increase for motorists at the pumps. Despite the final phasing out of the temporary General Fuel Levy relief—which added back R1.50 per litre to petrol and R1.07 per litre to diesel—sharp declines in global oil prices and a resilient Rand completely absorbed the tax impact.
The table below outlines the official retail pump prices for petrol and wholesale prices for diesel, effective from Wednesday, 2 September 2026:
Official September 2026 Fuel Price Table
| Fuel Type / Grade | Inland Price | Coastal Price | Net Monthly Change |
| Petrol 93 ULP / LRP | R26.76 / L | R25.97 / L | Dec by R0.96 / L |
| Petrol 95 ULP | R26.92 / L | R26.05 / L | Dec by R1.07 / L |
| Diesel 0.05% Sulphur (Wholesale) | R29.11 / L | R28.24 / L | Dec by R2.71 / L |
| Diesel 0.005% Sulphur (Wholesale) | R29.56 / L | R28.68 / L | Dec by R2.92 / L |
| Illuminating Paraffin (Wholesale) | R20.89 / L | R16.40 / L | Dec by R1.52 / L |
| LPGas | R40.84 / kg | R37.31 / kg | Inc by 16c to 19c / kg |
Note: Petrol prices are strictly regulated by the government, meaning the price listed above is the exact amount you will pay at any retail station within that zone. Diesel prices are unregulated at a retail level, so the figures above reflect the wholesale price; actual pump prices will vary slightly from station to station.
To see if any daily shifts are impacting what you pay right now, check out our dedicated petrol price today page.
Expected Petrol, Diesel, and Paraffin Movement
While the current month brought significant relief, fuel pricing is dynamic. Mid-month data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) gives us an early indication of what to expect for next month’s adjustment.
Confirmed vs. Forecast Movement
Current mid-month data reveals a divergent trend between petrol and diesel for the upcoming cycle:
- Petrol (93 and 95 ULP): Showing a projected decrease of around R1.02 to R1.07 per litre.
- Diesel (50ppm and 500ppm): The outlook is less favorable due to renewed international product pressures, pointing toward a slight under-recovery for 500ppm (around 1c per litre) or a minor cut for 50ppm (around 24c per litre).
- Illuminating Paraffin: Tracking toward a modest decrease of approximately 22 cents per litre.
Commercial and Fleet Relevance
For commercial operators running heavy logistics or local delivery networks, the contrasting paths of petrol and diesel mean budget planning must be split. While petrol vehicles will continue to enjoy relief, fleet operations relying heavily on 50ppm diesel should brace for flat or slightly rising wholesale baselines due to international refining constraints.
To track these daily shifts as they happen, stay updated via our comprehensive fuel price update South Africa portal.
What is Driving the Change?
South Africa’s retail fuel price South Africa is determined by a mixture of international costs and local regulatory elements. The main drivers influencing the price this month include:
- International Crude Oil Prices: The average price of Brent Crude oil fell sharply during the prior review period to around $86.53 per barrel due to improved global supply expectations. However, recent mid-month trading has seen oil edge back up toward $85 a barrel amid renewed international tensions, capping further diesel relief.
- The Rand/US Dollar Exchange Rate: Because South Africa imports its oil in USD, a stronger Rand lowers local landing costs. The Rand maintained a stable trading baseline (averaging around R16.38/$ during the review cycle), supporting the downward pressure on fuel costs.
- The Slate Levy: The slate levy mechanism, used to compensate oil companies for cumulative under-recoveries, was scaled back from 157.74 c/l to 113.94 c/l, giving an extra 43.80 cents per litre back to consumers.
Inland vs. Coastal Impact
You will notice a distinct price gap between inland and coastal regions in South Africa. This variance is primarily driven by transportation and logistics costs.
Because fuel is shipped into coastal ports (like Durban), coastal zones do not incur the cost of moving fuel through pipelines or rail networks to the interior of the country. Consequently, inland motorists in provinces like Gauteng pay roughly 75 to 87 cents more per litre for petrol than motorists at the coast.
When evaluating your local fuel costs, ensure you are referencing the correct zone and fuel grade (e.g., 93 ULP vs 95 ULP) to avoid budgeting errors.
Latest Official Fuel-Price Update
The official fuel price adjustments are legally implemented on the first Wednesday of every calendar month. The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) releases the finalized schedule a few days prior, usually on the preceding Monday or Tuesday.
- Current Effective Date: 2 September 2026
- Next Scheduled Update: 2 September 2026
- Primary Authority: Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR)
Previous Monthly Changes
Understanding previous months’ price directions helps identify broader macroeconomic trends. The first half of 2026 saw volatile swings, driven primarily by international supply shocks, before settling into the aggressive cuts experienced recently:
- August 2026: Petrol 95 increased by R1.43/L, while Diesel decreased by R2.62/L.
- May 2026: Significant increases hit consumers, with Petrol 95 climbing by R3.27/L.
- April 2026: Petrol 95 surged by R3.06/L due to global oil market pressures.
Actionable Cost Tracking
Evaluating how these monthly adjustments impact your household or business bottom line requires precise metrics. Rather than guessing, you can input your vehicle’s average consumption rate, the travel distance, and the current price per litre into our interactive tool to instantly calculate fuel cost requirements.
Methodology and Disclaimer
The fuel price data presented on this hub is sourced directly from official institutional publications, including daily Basic Fuel Price (BFP) reports from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) and monthly price adjustment declarations from the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR).
While all tables and parameters are verified against official schedules upon release, daily forecast models are strictly indicators of market trajectory and do not guarantee final regulated adjustments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is petrol adjusted monthly in South Africa?
South Africa relies on global markets for crude oil and refined petroleum imports. Because international oil prices and the Rand/USD exchange rate fluctuate daily, the government re-calculates the Basic Fuel Price over a rolling monthly cycle to align local retail prices with international realities.
Is 95 petrol better than 93 petrol?
Not necessarily. The numbers indicate the octane rating. 95 octane resists premature ignition better than 93, which is highly beneficial for high-performance or turbocharged engines, particularly at lower altitudes (coastal regions). Always consult your vehicle’s manual to use the manufacturer-recommended grade.
Can fuel stations charge different prices for petrol?
No. In South Africa, the retail price of petrol is legally capped and fixed by the government based on geographic zones. A station in Gauteng cannot charge more or less than the gazetted inland price for a specific grade of petrol. Diesel, however, is unregulated at the retail level, meaning stations can compete on pump prices.