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 rises 312 c/l, petrol 95 rises 333 c/l, diesel 500ppm rises 284 c/l, diesel 50ppm rises 324 c/l and illuminating paraffin rises 358 c/l. The previous official prices took effect on 2 September 2026 and remain payable until midnight on Tuesday, 6 October.
The October 2026 fuel-price cycle brings steep increases across every major petroleum product, effective Wednesday, 7 October 2026. Petrol 93 rises 312 c/l and petrol 95 rises 333 c/l, while diesel rises 284 c/l on 500ppm and 324 c/l on 50ppm and illuminating paraffin rises 358 c/l. Inland 95 petrol moves above R30 per litre for the first time, at R30.25.
Fuel Price Update October 2026: official changes at a glance
- Petrol 93: 312 c/l increase, to R29.88 inland and R29.01 coastal
- Petrol 95: 333 c/l increase, to R30.25 inland and R29.38 coastal
- Diesel 0.05% (500ppm): 284 c/l increase, to R31.95 inland and R31.08 coastal (wholesale)
- Diesel 0.005% (50ppm): 324 c/l increase, to R32.80 inland and R31.93 coastal (wholesale)
- Illuminating paraffin: 358 c/l increase, to R24.47 inland and R23.42 coastal (wholesale)
- LPG: 42 c/kg increase, to R37.81/kg inland and R34.56/kg coastal (maximum retail price)
- Effective date: Wednesday, 7 October 2026
- Status: Official adjustment confirmed by the DMPR
When the October fuel prices take effect
Adjustments come into operation on the first Wednesday of the month, which falls on 7 October 2026. The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources announced the confirmed schedule on Monday, 5 October 2026. The September prices remain payable until midnight on Tuesday, 6 October.
Petrol and diesel rise by similar amounts
In September diesel rose more than twice as much as petrol. This cycle the two fuels move together: petrol rises by 312 to 333 c/l and diesel by 284 to 324 c/l, because the pressure comes from higher crude oil and product prices across the barrel rather than from the diesel market alone.
Petrol price changes for October 2026
Petrol 93 price change
Petrol 93 increases by 312 c/l, taking the inland pump price to R29.88 per litre and the coastal price to R29.01 per litre.
Petrol 95 price change
Petrol 95 increases by 333 c/l, taking the inland pump price to R30.25 per litre and the coastal price to R29.38 per litre.
Inland and coastal petrol prices
| Product | September Price | October Price | Monthly Change |
| Inland Petrol 93 | R26.76 | R29.88 | +312 c/l |
| Inland Petrol 95 | R26.92 | R30.25 | +333 c/l |
| Coastal Petrol 93 | R25.89 | R29.01 | +312 c/l |
| Coastal Petrol 95 | R26.05 | R29.38 | +333 c/l |
Diesel and paraffin price changes
Diesel 0.05% sulphur
The 500ppm wholesale reference rises 284 c/l to R31.95 per litre inland and R31.08 per litre coastal.
Diesel 0.005% sulphur
The 50ppm wholesale reference rises 324 c/l to R32.80 per litre inland and R31.93 per litre coastal.
| Diesel Grade & Zone | September Price | October Price | Monthly Change |
| 50ppm Inland | R29.56 | R32.80 | +324 c/l |
| 50ppm Coastal | R28.68 | R31.93 | +324 c/l |
| 500ppm Inland | R29.11 | R31.95 | +284 c/l |
| 500ppm Coastal | R28.24 | R31.08 | +284 c/l |
Diesel figures are wholesale baselines, not pump prices. Retail diesel margins are deregulated, so the price you pay varies by station and will be higher than the figures above.
Illuminating paraffin wholesale
Illuminating paraffin rises 358 c/l at wholesale, to R24.47 per litre inland and R23.42 per litre coastal. This is the largest single movement of the cycle. These are wholesale figures; the retail price paid by households is higher and is capped by the Single Maximum National Retail Price (SMNRP) set by the department.
LPG price change for October 2026
The LPG maximum retail price rises by 42 c/kg, effective 7 October 2026. That takes the maximum retail price to R37.81 per kilogram in Gauteng and the inland zones, and R34.56 per kilogram at the coast. Unlike petrol, the LPG figure is a maximum: a retailer may charge less, but not more. See our LPG price South Africa page for cylinder-by-cylinder refill costs.
Inland versus coastal fuel prices
Inland prices remain higher because product must be moved from the coastal ports into the interior by pipeline and rail. The zone differentials are unchanged this cycle:
- Petrol 95: inland is 87 c/l higher than coastal
- Petrol 93: inland is 87 c/l higher than coastal
- Diesel (both grades): inland is 87 c/l higher than coastal
What is causing the October 2026 fuel-price adjustment?
Higher crude-oil prices
Brent crude was markedly higher over the September review period than in the previous cycle. Tension in the Middle East and concern about disruption to crude supply and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz kept a substantial risk premium in the market.
Higher refined-product prices across the barrel
International petrol, diesel and paraffin prices all followed crude higher. Where September’s adjustment was dominated by a diesel-specific squeeze, October’s is broad-based, which is why petrol, diesel and paraffin all rise by roughly R3 per litre or more.
A broadly stable rand
The rand traded in a comparatively narrow range against the US dollar, so currency movement contributed little either way. The adjustment is driven chiefly by international product costs.
No fuel-tax relief
The temporary reduction in the General Fuel Levy that applied earlier in 2026 has ended, and government has indicated that there are no immediate plans to reintroduce it. The full international increase therefore passes through to prices.
How October compares with September 2026
| Product | September Change | October Change |
| Petrol 93 | +134 c/l | +312 c/l |
| Petrol 95 | +134 c/l | +333 c/l |
| Diesel 500ppm | +293 c/l | +284 c/l |
| Diesel 50ppm | +314 c/l | +324 c/l |
For the full month-by-month record see the fuel price updates archive, or compare against fuel price update September 2026.
Methodology and source notes
South African fuel prices are adjusted on the first Wednesday of every month by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, based on the Basic Fuel Price, the rand-to-US-dollar exchange rate, and domestic elements including the General Fuel Levy, the Road Accident Fund levy, transport differentials and the slate levy. Petrol carries a regulated retail price; diesel and paraffin figures are wholesale baselines, and retail margins on diesel are deregulated.
- Official Adjustment: Confirmed increase across petrol, diesel, paraffin and LPG
- Effective Date: 7 October 2026
- Data Source: Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) official release
- Previous Cycle: DMPR official prices effective 2 September 2026
- Last Updated: 5 October 2026
Frequently asked questions
Is petrol increasing or decreasing in October 2026?
Petrol is increasing, by 312 c/l on 93 and 333 c/l on 95, on top of September’s 134 c/l increase.
How much is diesel increasing in October 2026?
By 284 c/l on 500ppm and 324 c/l on 50ppm at wholesale level, a similar amount to the petrol increase.
When do the October fuel prices take effect?
From Wednesday, 7 October 2026, in line with the standard first-Wednesday cycle. September prices apply until midnight on Tuesday, 6 October.
Are these figures official?
Yes. These are the official figures published by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, effective 7 October 2026.
Are diesel pump prices regulated?
No. Only petrol carries a regulated retail price. Diesel figures are wholesale baselines and each station sets its own retail margin, so pump prices vary between outlets.
Has petrol ever been above R30 per litre before?
No. October 2026 is the first time the inland price of 95 petrol has exceeded R30 per litre, at R30.25. Coastal 95 petrol is R29.38 and inland 93 petrol is R29.88.