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.
The petrol retail margin is 320 cents per litre from 7 October 2026. It is the regulated amount a service station keeps on each litre of petrol to cover its costs and profit.
Petrol Retail Margin South Africa: current price
| Margin or allowance (c/l) | Petrol 93 and 95 | Diesel (both grades) |
| Retail margin | 320.00 | Not regulated |
| Wholesale margin | 66.50 | 99.17 |
| Secondary storage | 39.00 | 39.00 |
| Secondary distribution | 19.10 | 19.10 |
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.
How it works
Petrol has a regulated pump price, so the retailer’s share is fixed by the Department. It is a set number of cents, not a percentage: the station earns the same 320 c/l whether petrol costs R20 or R30 a litre. In October 2026 the margin is 10.6% of the Petrol 95 price in Gauteng.
Diesel is different. Only its wholesale price is regulated, so each station sets its own diesel margin and pump prices vary.
Price change from the previous month
The margin was 315.1 c/l until August 2026 and has been 320.0 c/l since September 2026.
Practical example
On a 50-litre fill of petrol, R160.00 is the retailer’s margin and R33.25 is the wholesaler’s. The same amounts apply to Petrol 93 and Petrol 95, inland and at the coast.
How to use this price information
Because the petrol margin is fixed, there is no cheaper station for petrol within a pricing zone. Shopping around pays only for diesel.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do petrol stations make per litre?
The regulated retail margin is 320 c/l on petrol from 7 October 2026. That has to cover wages, rent and other costs as well as profit.
Is the margin the same everywhere?
Yes, for petrol. Diesel margins are set by each station.
Who sets it?
The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources.