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.
The highest wholesale price of diesel 500ppm on record is R31.95 per litre, effective 7 October 2026. That is the current price.
Highest Diesel Price South Africa overview
This record covers every official monthly price from January 2012 to October 2026 for the Gauteng inland zone. Diesel figures are regulated wholesale prices.
The ten most expensive months
| Rank | Effective date | Price per litre |
| 1 | 7 October 2026 | R31.95 |
| 2 | 6 May 2026 | R31.18 |
| 3 | 2 September 2026 | R29.11 |
| 4 | 3 June 2026 | R27.93 |
| 5 | 5 August 2026 | R26.17 |
| 6 | 1 April 2026 | R25.91 |
| 7 | 2 November 2022 | R25.49 |
| 8 | 6 July 2022 | R25.40 |
| 9 | 4 October 2023 | R25.02 |
| 10 | 1 July 2026 | R24.79 |
Highest price in each year
| Year | Highest | Month |
| 2012 | R11.44 | November |
| 2013 | R12.62 | September |
| 2014 | R13.39 | March |
| 2015 | R11.71 | July |
| 2016 | R11.71 | July |
| 2017 | R12.96 | December |
| 2018 | R16.13 | November |
| 2019 | R15.21 | June |
| 2020 | R14.62 | January |
| 2021 | R17.92 | December |
| 2022 | R25.49 | November |
| 2023 | R25.02 | October |
| 2024 | R22.45 | April |
| 2025 | R20.34 | February |
| 2026 | R31.95 | October |
How the record compares
Before 2026 the record was R25.49 per litre, set in November 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine. The current price is R6.47 above that.
Historical coverage and update frequency
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 history and forecast pages
- 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 this the highest price ever?
It is the highest in this record, which starts in January 2012. Earlier prices are not covered here.
What is the price now?
R31.95 per litre from 7 October 2026.
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.