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.
Diesel rises sharply again in the October 2026 cycle. Wholesale 50ppm diesel rises by 324 c/l to R32.80 per litre inland and R31.93 at the coast, while 500ppm diesel rises 284 c/l to R31.95 inland and R31.08 coastal, effective Wednesday, 7 October 2026. It is the third consecutive monthly diesel increase and takes both grades to record wholesale levels.
Diesel Price October 2026: official change
50ppm diesel adjustment
Diesel 0.005% sulphur (50ppm) increases by 324 c/l, taking the inland wholesale reference to R32.80 per litre and the coastal reference to R31.93 per litre.
500ppm diesel adjustment
Diesel 0.05% sulphur (500ppm) increases by 284 c/l, taking the inland wholesale reference to R31.95 per litre and the coastal reference to R31.08 per litre.
Effective date and official status
The adjustment takes effect on Wednesday, 7 October 2026. These are the final official figures for this cycle, announced by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources on Monday, 5 October 2026. The September prices remain in force until midnight on Tuesday, 6 October.
October 2026 diesel price table
| Diesel Grade & Zone | September Price | October Price | Monthly Change |
| 50ppm (0.005%) Inland | R29.56 | R32.80 | +324 c/l |
| 50ppm (0.005%) Coastal | R28.68 | R31.93 | +324 c/l |
| 500ppm (0.05%) Inland | R29.11 | R31.95 | +284 c/l |
| 500ppm (0.05%) Coastal | R28.24 | R31.08 | +284 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, and will be higher than the wholesale figures shown here.
How much is diesel increasing in October 2026?
The increase of 324 c/l on 50ppm and 284 c/l on 500ppm is broadly in line with the petrol increase in the same cycle. Petrol 93 rises 312 c/l and petrol 95 rises 333 c/l, so unlike September, when diesel rose more than twice as much as petrol, the burden is shared fairly evenly across fuels this month.
What is driving the October diesel increase?
International diesel product prices
The dominant driver is the higher international price of crude oil and refined products over the September review period. Tension in the Middle East and concern about disruption to supply and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz lifted prices across the barrel, adding to the tight distillate market that pushed diesel up so steeply in September.
Rand/US dollar exchange rate
The rand traded in a comparatively narrow range against the US dollar over the review window. Currency movement is not a material driver of this cycle, which means the increase is attributable chiefly to international product costs.
Levies and tax relief
No fuel-tax relief applies in October. The temporary reduction in the General Fuel Levy that applied earlier in 2026 has ended and government has indicated there are no immediate plans to reintroduce it, so the full international increase passes through to the wholesale price.
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 R162.00 more than in September. On 500ppm the additional cost is about R142.00.
100-Litre Fill (Large 4x4s, Delivery Vans & Commercial Vehicles)
A 100-litre fill of 50ppm diesel costs approximately R324.00 more, while 500ppm adds roughly R284.00.
Commercial Fleet Impact (10,000 Litres / Month)
An operator consuming 10,000 litres of 50ppm diesel a month faces roughly R32,400 in additional monthly cost. On 500ppm the figure is about R28,400. Fleets running on fixed-rate haulage contracts should review their fuel escalation clauses before the cycle begins.
Primary CTA: Calculate how the October diesel increase affects your running costs.
How October compares with September 2026
September delivered a diesel increase of 293 c/l on 500ppm and 314 c/l on 50ppm. October adds a further 284 c/l and 324 c/l respectively, so the wholesale price of both grades has risen by roughly R5.80 to R6.40 per litre in two months. The difference this cycle is that petrol has caught up, rising by a similar amount.
| Grade | 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 month-by-month history see the fuel price updates archive, or compare directly against diesel price September 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: 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 diesel going up in October 2026?
Yes. Diesel rises by 324 c/l on 50ppm and 284 c/l on 500ppm from 7 October 2026, the third consecutive monthly increase.
How much is 50ppm diesel increasing?
By 324 c/l, taking the inland wholesale reference to R32.80 per litre and the coastal reference to R31.93.
How much is 500ppm diesel increasing?
By 284 c/l, taking the inland wholesale reference to R31.95 per litre and the coastal reference to R31.08.
When does the October diesel increase take effect?
From Wednesday, 7 October 2026, in line with the standard first-Wednesday adjustment cycle. September prices apply until midnight on Tuesday, 6 October.
Why is diesel rising again?
Because international crude and refined-product prices were higher over the September review period, driven by geopolitical tension and supply concerns, and no domestic tax relief is in place to absorb the increase.
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.