Official figures — October 2026. These are the confirmed prices published by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR), effective Wednesday, 7 October 2026. Petrol 93 rose 312 c/l, petrol 95 rose 333 c/l, diesel 500ppm rose 284 c/l, diesel 50ppm rose 324 c/l and illuminating paraffin rose 358 c/l. The previous official prices took effect on 2 September 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 October 2026 brought a broad increase for motorists at the pumps. Petrol 95 rose by R3.33 per litre and petrol 93 by R3.12, as higher global oil prices fed through with the Rand almost unchanged. The General Fuel Levy was not changed.
The table below outlines the official retail pump prices for petrol and wholesale prices for diesel, effective from Wednesday, 7 October 2026:
Official October 2026 Fuel Price Table
| Fuel Type / Grade | Inland Price | Coastal Price | Net Monthly Change |
| Petrol 93 ULP / LRP | R29.88 / L | R29.01 / L | Inc by R3.12 / L |
| Petrol 95 ULP | R30.25 / L | R29.38 / L | Inc by R3.33 / L |
| Diesel 0.05% Sulphur (Wholesale) | R31.95 / L | R31.08 / L | Inc by R2.84 / L |
| Diesel 0.005% Sulphur (Wholesale) | R32.80 / L | R31.93 / L | Inc by R3.24 / L |
| Illuminating Paraffin (Wholesale) | R24.47 / L | R23.42 / L | Inc by R3.58 / L |
| LPGas | R37.81 / kg | R34.56 / kg | Inc by 42c to 48c / 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 a steep increase, fuel pricing is dynamic. Mid-month data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) will give an early indication of what to expect for next month’s adjustment.
Confirmed vs. Forecast Movement
The November 2026 review period has only just begun, so no reliable projection is available yet:
- Petrol (93 and 95 ULP): No projection yet.
- Diesel (50ppm and 500ppm): No projection yet.
- Illuminating Paraffin: No projection yet.
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 rose from about $88 to $101 per barrel during the review period, as continued US–Iran tension and uncertainty over the Strait of Hormuz sustained a risk premium.
- The Rand/US Dollar Exchange Rate: Because South Africa imports its oil in USD, a stronger Rand lowers local landing costs. The Rand was almost unchanged (averaging around R16.21/$ during the review cycle), so it offered no relief.
- The Slate Levy: The slate levy mechanism, used to compensate oil companies for cumulative under-recoveries, rose from 83.28 c/l to 87.66 c/l, adding 4.38 cents per litre.
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: 7 October 2026
- Next Scheduled Update: 7 October 2026
- Primary Authority: Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR)
Previous Monthly Changes
Understanding previous months’ price directions helps identify broader macroeconomic trends. After volatile swings in the first half of 2026, prices have risen sharply in both September and October:
- October 2026: Petrol 95 increased by R3.33/L, and Diesel increased by R2.84 to R3.24/L.
- September 2026: Petrol 95 increased by R1.34/L, while Diesel increased by R2.93 to R3.14/L.
- August 2026: Petrol 95 decreased by R0.52/L, while Diesel increased by R1.23 to R1.38/L.
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.