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.
Wholesale diesel is at a record: R32.80 per litre for 50ppm and R31.95 for 500ppm inland from 7 October 2026. Diesel has risen in each of the last three months, and is R13.42 per litre higher than it was in March 2026.
Diesel Price Trends South Africa: current diesel price
| Diesel grade | Inland wholesale | Coastal wholesale | Change on 7 October 2026 |
| Diesel 50ppm (0.005% sulphur) | R32.80 | R31.93 | Up R3.24 |
| Diesel 500ppm (0.05% sulphur) | R31.95 | R31.08 | Up R2.84 |
50ppm vs 500ppm diesel
The cleaner 50ppm grade normally costs a little more than 500ppm. The gap is currently 84 cents per litre inland; a year ago, in October 2025, it was 4 cents. The gap widens when international prices for low-sulphur diesel rise faster than for the standard grade.
| Effective date | 50ppm inland | 500ppm inland |
| 7 October 2026 | R32.80 | R31.95 |
| 2 September 2026 | R29.56 | R29.11 |
| 5 August 2026 | R26.41 | R26.17 |
| 1 July 2026 | R25.17 | R24.79 |
| 3 June 2026 | R28.76 | R27.93 |
| 6 May 2026 | R31.38 | R31.18 |
| 1 April 2026 | R26.11 | R25.91 |
| 4 March 2026 | R18.60 | R18.54 |
| 4 February 2026 | R17.95 | R17.92 |
| 1 January 2026 | R18.52 | R18.42 |
| 3 December 2025 | R20.02 | R19.79 |
| 3 November 2025 | R19.20 | R19.13 |
| 1 October 2025 | R19.39 | R19.34 |
Inland vs coastal diesel price
The inland wholesale price is 87.2 cents per litre above the coastal price for both grades. That difference is the cost of moving fuel from the coast to Gauteng and has been stable through 2026.
Wholesale vs pump-price context
Only the wholesale price of diesel is regulated. Service stations and bulk suppliers add their own margin, so the price on the pump differs from station to station and is usually higher than the figures on this page. Bulk buyers often negotiate a price below the pump price.
Diesel forecast and history
Yearly averages for diesel 500ppm (inland wholesale) show how unusual 2026 has been.
| Year | Average | Lowest | Highest | Change in average |
| 2019 | R14.40 | R13.13 (Jan) | R15.21 (Jun) | +3.2% |
| 2020 | R12.93 | R11.09 (May) | R14.62 (Jan) | -10.2% |
| 2021 | R15.14 | R13.00 (Jan) | R17.92 (Dec) | +17.1% |
| 2022 | R22.35 | R17.25 (Jan) | R25.49 (Nov) | +47.6% |
| 2023 | R21.52 | R19.31 (Jun) | R25.02 (Oct) | -3.7% |
| 2024 | R20.58 | R18.45 (Oct) | R22.45 (Apr) | -4.4% |
| 2025 | R19.47 | R18.53 (Jun) | R20.34 (Feb) | -5.4% |
| 2026 (to October) | R25.19 | R17.92 (Feb) | R31.95 (Oct) | +29.4% |
The largest single monthly increase in this record was R7.37 per litre in April 2026. No reliable projection for November 2026 is available yet, because the review period has only just begun.
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.
Calculator and fleet-use links
- Diesel price South Africa
- Diesel price history South Africa
- Diesel cost calculator
- Fleet diesel cost calculator
- Diesel price inland vs coastal
- Fuel price updates archive
Frequently asked questions
Is diesel at a record high?
Yes. Both grades are at their highest wholesale price since this record began in January 2012.
Why does the diesel pump price differ between stations?
Because only the wholesale price is regulated. Each retailer sets its own margin.
How often does the price change?
On the first Wednesday of every month. The current prices took effect on 7 October 2026 and the next adjustment is due on Wednesday, 4 November 2026.