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.
Diesel carries by far the heaviest fuel-price increase of the September 2026 cycle. Wholesale 50ppm diesel is expected to rise by 292 c/l to R29.56 per litre inland and R28.68 at the coast, while 500ppm diesel rises 271 c/l to R29.11 inland and R28.24 coastal, effective Wednesday, 2 September 2026. The move is driven by an acute global squeeze on diesel refining capacity rather than by crude oil alone.
Diesel Price September 2026: official change
50ppm diesel adjustment
Diesel 0.005% sulphur (50ppm) increased by 292 c/l, taking the inland wholesale reference to R29.56 per litre and the coastal reference to R28.68 per litre.
500ppm diesel adjustment
Diesel 0.05% sulphur (500ppm) increased by 271 c/l, taking the inland wholesale reference to R29.11 per litre and the coastal reference to R28.24 per litre.
Effective date and official status
The adjustment takes effect on Wednesday, 2 September 2026. These are the final official figures for this cycle, confirmed by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources.
September 2026 diesel price table
| Diesel Grade & Zone | August Price | September Price | Monthly Change |
| 50ppm (0.005%) Inland | R26.41 | R29.56 | +315 c/l |
| 50ppm (0.005%) Coastal | R25.53 | R28.68 | +315 c/l |
| 500ppm (0.05%) Inland | R26.17 | R29.11 | +294 c/l |
| 500ppm (0.05%) Coastal | R25.30 | R28.24 | +294 c/l |
Inland and Gauteng wholesale reference
Inland figures apply to Gauteng and the interior pricing zones, where pipeline and rail transport differentials are added to the coastal landing cost. The inland reference sits 87 c/l above the coastal figure for both diesel grades.
Coastal wholesale reference
Coastal figures apply to Cape Town, Durban, Gqeberha and other port-adjacent zones, which carry no primary inland transport addition.
Why retail diesel prices may differ
Unlike petrol, diesel has no legally mandated retail ceiling. The figures above are official wholesale baselines, and each service station sets its own retail margin on top. Actual pump prices therefore vary between stations and between regions.
How much is diesel increasing in September 2026?
The projected increase of 292 c/l on 50ppm and 271 c/l on 500ppm is roughly three times the size of the petrol increase in the same cycle. Petrol 93 rises 96 c/l and petrol 95 rises 107 c/l, so diesel users absorb a disproportionate share of this adjustment.
What is driving the September diesel increase?
International diesel product prices
The dominant driver is a severe squeeze on global diesel refining capacity. Disruption to Russian refinery output and sanctions pressure on Iranian exports have tightened distillate supply, pushing diesel refining margins sharply higher and widening the gap between diesel and petrol movements.
Rand/US dollar exchange rate
The rand was comparatively stable against the US dollar over the review window. Currency movement is not a material driver of this cycle, which means the increase is attributable almost entirely to international product costs.
Slate levy adjustment
The slate levy was cut from 113.94 c/l to 61.38 c/l in August, which absorbed much of that month’s pressure. In September it reversed, rising 21.90 c/l to 83.28 c/l, adding directly to the increase rather than offsetting it.
Inland vs coastal diesel prices
Both diesel grades carry an 87 c/l inland differential over the coastal wholesale reference, reflecting the cost of moving product from the ports into the interior. The differential is unchanged this cycle, so the increase applies uniformly across zones.
What the increase means for motorists and fleets
50-Litre Fill (Passenger SUVs & Light Bakkies)
A 50-litre fill of 50ppm diesel costs approximately R157.50 more than in August. On 500ppm the additional cost is about R147.00.
100-Litre Fill (Large 4x4s, Delivery Vans & Commercial Vehicles)
A 100-litre fill of 50ppm diesel costs approximately R315.00 more, while 500ppm adds roughly R294.00.
Commercial Fleet Impact (10,000 Litres / Month)
An operator consuming 10,000 litres of 50ppm diesel a month faces roughly R31,500 in additional monthly cost. On 500ppm the figure is about R29,400. Fleets running on fixed-rate haulage contracts should review their fuel escalation clauses before the cycle begins.
Primary CTA: Calculate how the September diesel increase affects your running costs.
How September compares with August 2026
August delivered a diesel increase of roughly 138 c/l on 500ppm and 123 c/l on 50ppm. September is projected to be about twice as steep, and it arrives in the same cycle in which petrol also turns upward, removing the mixed picture that characterised August.
| Grade | August Change | September Change |
| Diesel 500ppm | +138 c/l | +294 c/l |
| Diesel 50ppm | +123 c/l | +315 c/l |
| Petrol 93 | -52 c/l | +134 c/l |
| Petrol 95 | -52 c/l | +134 c/l |
For month-by-month history see the fuel price updates archive, or compare directly against diesel price August 2026.
How South Africa’s diesel price is calculated
The diesel wholesale price is built from the Basic Fuel Price, which reflects the cost of importing refined product, plus domestic elements including the General Fuel Levy, the Road Accident Fund levy, transport differentials and the slate levy. Because retail diesel margins are deregulated, the published figure is a wholesale baseline rather than a pump ceiling.
Methodology and source note
- Official Adjustment: Confirmed increase
- Effective Date: 2 September 2026
- Data Source: Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) official release
- Previous Cycle: DMPR official prices effective 5 August 2026
- Last Updated: 1 September 2026
Frequently asked questions
Is diesel going up in September 2026?
Yes. Diesel rose by 292 c/l on 50ppm and 271 c/l on 500ppm from 2 September 2026, the largest movement of any fuel this cycle.
How much is 50ppm diesel increasing?
By a projected 292 c/l, taking the inland wholesale reference to R29.56 per litre and the coastal reference to R28.68.
How much is 500ppm diesel increasing?
By a projected 271 c/l, taking the inland wholesale reference to R29.11 per litre and the coastal reference to R28.24.
When does the September diesel increase take effect?
From Wednesday, 2 September 2026, in line with the standard first-Wednesday adjustment cycle.
Why is diesel rising so much more than petrol?
Because the shortage is specific to distillate refining capacity rather than to crude oil. Global refinery disruption has tightened diesel supply far more than petrol supply, so diesel cracks have widened sharply while petrol has moved only modestly.
Why can diesel pump prices differ between stations?
Diesel retail margins are not regulated. The published price is a wholesale baseline and each station adds its own margin, so pump prices legitimately differ between outlets.