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.
Petrol prices rise and fall far more sharply than prices in general. Between 2012 and 2025 the yearly average price of Petrol 95 inland rose by 87%, while consumer prices rose by 89%.
Petrol Price Inflation South Africa overview
Petrol price inflation is the percentage change in the petrol price from one period to the next. This page compares it, year by year, with headline consumer inflation from Stats SA.
Petrol price change vs consumer inflation
| Year | Change in average Petrol 95 price | Headline inflation (CPI) |
| 2013 | +11.7% | 5.7% |
| 2014 | +7.1% | 6.1% |
| 2015 | -10.3% | 4.6% |
| 2016 | +1.7% | 6.4% |
| 2017 | +8.0% | 5.3% |
| 2018 | +13.1% | 4.7% |
| 2019 | +2.0% | 4.1% |
| 2020 | -6.3% | 3.3% |
| 2021 | +19.1% | 4.5% |
| 2022 | +29.8% | 6.9% |
| 2023 | +1.5% | 6.0% |
| 2024 | -0.1% | 4.4% |
| 2025 | -6.3% | 3.2% |
Petrol rose faster than general inflation in 6 of these 13 years. It fell in 2015, 2020 and 2025, and was almost flat in 2024.
The picture in 2026
Headline inflation was 4.4% in August 2026, up from 3.5% in January. Petrol 95 inland in October 2026 is 40% more expensive than in October 2025 (R30.25 against R21.63), so fuel is now pushing inflation up.
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.
Inflation figures are from the Stats SA consumer price index history, published monthly.
Related history and forecast pages
- Petrol price today
- Petrol price history South Africa
- Diesel price history South Africa
- Petrol price history chart
- Fuel price updates archive
- Petrol price prediction
Frequently asked questions
Does petrol rise faster than inflation?
In some years much faster, in others it falls. Over 2012 to 2025 as a whole the two rose by similar amounts.
How much has petrol risen in the last year?
Petrol 95 inland is R8.62 per litre higher than in October 2025.
Where do these figures come from?
From the official monthly price announcements made for the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, as tabulated by the Fuels Industry Association of South Africa. This page covers January 2012 onwards.