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.
A weaker Rand raises the petrol price and a stronger Rand lowers it, because the basic fuel price is set in US Dollars. In October 2026 the effect was tiny: the Rand averaged R16.2123 to the Dollar against R16.2139 the month before, which trimmed the petrol price by 0.171 c/l.
How Exchange Rate Affects Petrol Price: direct answer
Refined fuel is bought on international markets in Dollars. The Central Energy Fund converts the Dollar price to Rand every day, and the average over the review period feeds into the next month’s price.
How it works in South Africa
- The basic fuel price is converted at the daily Rand to US Dollar exchange rate.
- Only the basic fuel price is affected. Levies and margins are set in Rand and do not move with the currency.
- The basic fuel price is 57.6% of the Petrol 95 price in October 2026, so a currency move changes a little over half of the price.
Key figures for October 2026
| Item | Figure |
| Average exchange rate, 28 August to 1 October 2026 | R16.2123 per US Dollar |
| Average in the previous period | R16.2139 per US Dollar |
| Effect on petrol | 0.171 c/l lower |
| Effect on diesel 500ppm | 0.215 c/l lower |
| Effect of international product prices on petrol, for comparison | 329.065 c/l higher |
Source: composition of the price in Gauteng for 7 October to 3 November 2026, from the media statement released by the Central Energy Fund on behalf of the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources on 2 October 2026.
Practical example for motorists
As a rough guide, the basic fuel price of Petrol 95 is 1,743.51 c/l. If the Rand were 1% weaker on average and nothing else changed, that component would be about 17 c/l higher, adding roughly R8.70 to a 50-litre fill.
Common mistakes and misconceptions
- A single bad day for the Rand does not move the price. The monthly average does.
- A stronger Rand does not guarantee a decrease: in October 2026 the Rand was marginally stronger and petrol still rose by R3.33.
- The exchange rate has no effect on fuel levies.
Related prices, forecasts and tools
- Petrol price today
- Fuel price breakdown
- Basic fuel price
- Why fuel prices change every month
- Petrol price prediction
- Fuel cost calculator
- Rand dollar fuel price
Frequently asked questions
How much does a weaker Rand add to petrol?
Roughly 17 c/l for each 1% fall in the average exchange rate, at October 2026 price levels.
Did the Rand cause the October 2026 increase?
No. It was almost unchanged. The increase came from international product prices.
When does the price change?
On the first Wednesday of every month. The current prices took effect on 7 October 2026 and the next adjustment is due on Wednesday, 4 November 2026.