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.
Understanding the direct connection between global crude oil markets and local pump prices is essential for every South African motorist, commuter, and logistics operator. Because South Africa imports the vast majority of its crude oil and refined petroleum products, shifts in international commodity trading immediately affect fuel stations in Gauteng, Cape Town, Durban, and across the country.
This explainer outlines the oil price and petrol price South Africa relationship, breaking down official monthly price schedules, inland versus coastal transport tariffs, petrol grades, and practical calculation tools to help you plan your monthly driving budget. For a comprehensive overview of how local pricing structures are built, explore our detailed guide on how fuel prices are calculated in South Africa as part of our broader fuel price education hub.
Oil Price and Petrol Price South Africa: current price
Direct Answer: Latest Official Pump Prices
As confirmed by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR), the official current oil price and petrol price South Africa figures for the current monthly fuel cycle (effective 2 September 2026) are set at:
- Petrol 93 ULP (Inland): R26.76 per litre (2,676.00 c/l)
- Petrol 95 ULP (Inland): R26.11 per litre (2,692.00 c/l)
- Petrol 95 ULP (Coastal): R26.05 per litre (2,605.00 c/l)
- Diesel 0.05% Sulphur (Inland Wholesale): R29.11 per litre (2,911.11 c/l)
- Diesel 0.005% Sulphur (Inland Wholesale): R29.56 per litre (2,955.51 c/l)
Official-Source Explanation
Local retail petrol and wholesale diesel prices in South Africa are regulated on a monthly schedule by the DMPR. The primary driver behind these adjustments is the Basic Fuel Price (BFP), which calculates what it would cost a South African importer to purchase refined fuel from major international refineries and transport it to local ports.
International benchmark crude prices—specifically Brent Crude oil—directly influence international refined product prices. When analyzing the Brent crude petrol price South Africa correlation, two main external variables dictate daily movements:
- International Product Prices (USD/barrel): Influenced by global crude supply, geopolitical developments, and refinery output.
- USD/ZAR Exchange Rate: Because international oil products are traded in US Dollars, a weaker Rand increases import costs even if global crude prices stay flat.
How Over-/Under-Recoveries Work: Daily shifts in global Brent crude and the Rand exchange rate create a daily “over-recovery” (indicating price cuts) or “under-recovery” (indicating price hikes) calculated by the Central Energy Fund (CEF). These daily balances accumulate over the month to determine the official DMPR price adjustment on the first Wednesday of each month.
Latest petrol and fuel price table
The table below provides the verified official monthly pricing schedule published by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources. All values reflect official regulated pump prices for petrol and maximum wholesale baseline figures for diesel.
Official Fuel Price Schedule (Effective 2 September 2026)
| Fuel Grade / Type | Zone Context | Official Price (R/l) | Official Price (c/l) | Monthly Adjustment |
| Petrol 93 ULP / LRP | Inland (Zone 9C) | R26.76 / l | 2,676.00 c/l | ↑ R1.34 / l (-201.00 c/l) |
| Petrol 95 ULP | Inland (Zone 9C) | R26.11 / l | 2,692.00 c/l | ↑ R1.34 / l (-196.00 c/l) |
| Petrol 95 ULP | Coastal | R26.05 / l | 2,605.00 c/l | ↑ R1.34 / l (-196.00 c/l) |
| Diesel 0.05% (500ppm) | Inland Wholesale | R29.11 / l | 2,911.11 c/l | ↑ R2.94 / l (-314.00 c/l) |
| Diesel 0.05% (500ppm) | Coastal Wholesale | R28.24 / l | 2,823.91 c/l | ↑ R2.94 / l (-314.00 c/l) |
| Diesel 0.005% (50ppm) | Inland Wholesale | R29.56 / l | 2,955.51 c/l | ↑ R3.15 / l (-359.00 c/l) |
| Diesel 0.005% (50ppm) | Coastal Wholesale | R28.68 / l | 2,868.31 c/l | ↑ R3.15 / l (-359.00 c/l) |
| Illuminating Paraffin | Inland Wholesale | R20.89 / l | 2,089.10 c/l | ↑ R2.13 / l (-523.00 c/l) |
Price change from the previous month
Monthly Movement Analysis
When evaluating the latest oil price and petrol price South Africa numbers, tracking month-on-month movement provides practical context for consumer spending. For the current monthly cycle, South African motorists received significant price relief across all major fuel categories:
- Unleaded Petrol 93: Decreased by 201.00 cents per litre (R0.96/l).
- Unleaded Petrol 95: Decreased by 196.00 cents per litre (R1.07/l).
- Wholesale Diesel 500ppm: Decreased by 314.00 cents per litre (R2.71/l).
- Wholesale Diesel 50ppm: Decreased by 359.00 cents per litre (R2.92/l).
Practical Breakdown: The Basic Fuel Price Mechanism
To see how international market shifts turn into pump price adjustments, consider the underlying structure that builds the final retail price:
[ International Brent Crude ($/barrel) + Refined Product Cost ]
↓
[ USD / ZAR Exchange Rate ]
↓
= Basic Fuel Price (BFP) (~R13.07/l)
+
[ Fixed Government Levies: Fuel Levy, RAF Levy, Slate Levy ] (~R6.50/l)
+
[ Transport Tariffs, Wholesale Margin & Retailer Margin ] (~R6.54/l)
↓
= Final Inland Pump Price (~R26.11/l)
In oil price and petrol price South Africa 2026 trends, a drop in international Brent Crude prices—combined with a steady Rand (~R16.38/$1)—generated substantial over-recoveries during the review period. This drop was large enough to absorb statutory tax adjustments (such as the full reinstatement of the General Fuel Levy) while still passing multi-rand net reductions directly to consumers.
Inland vs coastal prices
A common question among South African drivers checking oil price and petrol price South Africa today is why fuel costs more in Gauteng than in coastal cities like Cape Town, Gqeberha, or Durban.
Transport Differential and Magisterial Zones
The price difference between coastal and inland areas is determined by domestic transport tariffs. Imported refined fuel and crude oil arrive via coastal ports. Moving fuel inland to economic hubs like Johannesburg and Pretoria (designated under pricing zone 9C) requires pipeline, rail, and road transport.
- Coastal Price Base: Includes the landed cost of fuel at the port plus local storage, wholesale margins, and retail margins.
- Inland Price Base (Zone 9C): Includes the coastal base price plus the zone transport tariff (adding approximately 88 c/l for Petrol 95).
Because of this transport differential, Petrol 95 ULP costs R26.05 per litre at coastal pumps compared to R26.11 per litreinland—a direct difference of 88 cents per litre.
Petrol grades, diesel and related fuels
Petrol Grades (93 ULP vs 95 ULP)
South Africa uses two primary unleaded petrol grades:
- 93 Octane (ULP/LRP): Formulated for naturally aspirated engines running at higher altitudes (Inland/Highveld), where lower air density reduces octane requirements.
- 95 Octane (ULP): Required at sea level (Coastal) and recommended for modern turbocharged or high-compression engines operating inland.
By law, retail petrol prices are strictly fixed by government decree. Service stations cannot charge above or below the official DMPR retail price for petrol.
Commercial and Retail Diesel Pricing (500ppm vs 50ppm)
Unlike petrol, diesel is not subject to a fixed retail price in South Africa. The DMPR sets an official wholesale price baseline, allowing individual service stations and commercial fleet depots to determine their own retail profit margins based on market competition.
- Diesel 0.05% (500ppm): Standard commercial grade widely used in heavy transport, industrial machinery, and agricultural equipment.
- Diesel 0.005% (50ppm): Ultra-low sulphur diesel required by modern passenger cars, SUVs, and high-efficiency turbodiesel engines to keep exhaust after-treatment systems functioning cleanly.
Because diesel retail margins vary, shopping around at high-volume forecourts or commercial truck stops can yield noticeable savings per tank compared to standard retail averages.
How to use this price information
Knowing the current oil price and petrol price figures gives individuals and business owners actionable ways to manage ongoing travel expenses.
Practical Steps for Motorists and Fleet Operators
- Time Your Refueling: When an official price drop is confirmed for the first Wednesday of the month, delay non-essential fill-ups until the new rate takes effect. Conversely, fill up before midnight on Tuesday if a price hike is scheduled.
- Calculate Monthly Fuel Consumption: Multiply your vehicle’s fuel economy (e.g., 8.0 L/100 km) by your expected monthly mileage and the active regional price per litre.
- Audit Commercial Transport Invoices: Fleet managers can compare wholesale diesel quotes against official DMPR baseline adjustments to ensure supplier pricing remains competitive.
To estimate your exact trip costs or monthly commuting budget, use our interactive tool to calculate fuel cost instantly.
Related tools and updates
Tracking Daily Indicators vs Official DMPR Announcements
When checking whether fuel costs are rising or falling, it helps to distinguish between daily market indicators and official monthly decisions:
- Daily CEF Indicators: The Central Energy Fund publishes daily BFP over-/under-recovery estimates. These snapshot figures show ongoing market trends, but they fluctuate daily and do not represent final pump prices.
- Official DMPR Gazette: The Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources issues an official press release on the Friday or Monday preceding the first Wednesday of the month, confirming the exact price adjustment.
To see current mid-month trends and find out if fuel costs are likely fuel price going up or down, visit our regularly updated projection page for the upcoming petrol price next month.
Frequently asked questions
How does the global Brent Crude oil price influence South African petrol prices?
Brent Crude oil serves as the primary international benchmark for oil trading. Because South Africa imports crude oil and refined petroleum, changes in Brent Crude directly alter the Basic Fuel Price (BFP). Higher international crude prices increase import costs, while lower global oil prices help lower pump prices locally.
Why are diesel prices quoted as wholesale while petrol prices are retail pump prices?
Petrol retail prices are legally capped and fixed by the South African government. Diesel, however, is a primary commercial input for transport, mining, and agriculture. To promote price competition among retailers, the government regulates only the wholesale diesel base, leaving retail station margins open to market competition.
When do official fuel price changes take effect in South Africa?
Official fuel price adjustments regulated by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources take effect at 00:01 on the first Wednesday of every calendar month.
Where can I check if fuel prices will go up or down next month?
You can track daily over- and under-recovery estimates published by the Central Energy Fund (CEF) or follow our live updates at PetrolPrice.co.za for projection updates leading up to the official monthly announcement.