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.
South African fuel prices have nearly tripled since 2012, but not in a straight line. This page explains the main phases, using the official monthly prices for Petrol 95 and wholesale diesel in the Gauteng inland zone.
Fuel Price History Explained overview
Two things drive the monthly price: what refined fuel costs on international markets, converted at the Rand to US Dollar exchange rate, and the local levies and margins added on top. History is mostly the story of the first, with tax changes layered over it.
Historical price table
| Year | Petrol 95 average | Diesel 500ppm average | Inflation (CPI) |
| 2012 | R11.56 | R10.75 | 5.6% |
| 2013 | R12.92 | R11.99 | 5.7% |
| 2014 | R13.84 | R12.70 | 6.1% |
| 2015 | R12.41 | R10.77 | 4.6% |
| 2016 | R12.63 | R10.64 | 6.4% |
| 2017 | R13.63 | R11.74 | 5.3% |
| 2018 | R15.42 | R13.95 | 4.7% |
| 2019 | R15.73 | R14.40 | 4.1% |
| 2020 | R14.75 | R12.93 | 3.3% |
| 2021 | R17.56 | R15.14 | 4.5% |
| 2022 | R22.80 | R22.35 | 6.9% |
| 2023 | R23.14 | R21.52 | 6.0% |
| 2024 | R23.12 | R20.58 | 4.4% |
| 2025 | R21.66 | R19.47 | 3.2% |
| 2026 (to October) | R24.80 | R25.19 | – |
Long-term trend and key turning points
- 2014 to 2016: the international oil price crash pulled prices down to the lowest point in this record, R10.31 in February 2015.
- 2020: lockdowns collapsed fuel demand worldwide and the price fell to R12.22 in May 2020.
- 2022: prices surged after Russia invaded Ukraine, peaking at R26.74 in July 2022.
- 2024 to early 2026: prices eased, reaching R20.10 in February 2026.
- 2026: a run of steep increases from April took the price to a record R30.25 in October 2026, as international oil and product prices climbed.
Monthly changes by fuel type
Petrol and diesel usually move in the same direction, but not by the same amount. In April 2026 wholesale diesel 500ppm rose by R7.37 per litre in a single month while Petrol 95 rose by R3.06. In June 2026 diesel fell by R3.25 while petrol rose by R1.43.
Reading the history correctly
- Petrol figures are pump prices; diesel and paraffin figures are wholesale prices.
- Inland prices are about 87 cents per litre above coastal prices.
- Old prices are not comparable with today’s without allowing for inflation.
- This record begins in January 2012; earlier prices are not covered.
Source and coverage: Prices are the official monthly figures published for the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, as tabulated by the Fuels Industry Association of South Africa. This page covers January 2012 to October 2026. Petrol figures are regulated pump prices; diesel and paraffin figures are wholesale prices, so pump prices for diesel vary by station.
Related current price and forecast pages
- Petrol price today
- Petrol price history South Africa
- Diesel price history South Africa
- Petrol price history chart
- Fuel price updates archive
- Petrol price prediction
Frequently asked questions
Why did fuel prices fall in 2020?
Lockdowns collapsed demand for fuel worldwide and international prices fell with it. Petrol 95 inland dropped to R12.22 in May 2020.
Why did they rise so sharply in 2022 and 2026?
Both followed surges in international oil and refined product prices: in 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine, and in 2026 amid tension around the Strait of Hormuz.
Where do these figures come from?
From the official monthly price announcements made for the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, as tabulated by the Fuels Industry Association of South Africa. This page covers January 2012 onwards.