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.
South African fuel prices are adjusted on a monthly basis, dictated by international macroeconomic trends and local regulatory mechanisms. Keeping track of the exact adjustment dates, understanding how variations are calculated, and knowing the difference between a daily running indicator and a confirmed government announcement helps everyday motorists and commercial fleet managers budget effectively.
When Is the Next Fuel Price Adjustment: Current Price
In South Africa, official fuel price adjustments take effect at midnight on the first Wednesday of every month.
The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) officially announces the final, confirmed price changes a few days prior—typically on the Monday or Tuesday immediately preceding that first Wednesday.
Official Schedule Notice: Fuel prices are currently holding at the rates implemented during the last adjustment cycle. The next scheduled monthly fuel price adjustment will take effect on Wednesday, 2 September 2026.
Until the DMPR releases its official media statement for the upcoming month, all mid-month figures published by bodies like the Central Energy Fund (CEF) remain predictive indicators, not confirmed prices.
Latest Petrol and Fuel Price Table
The table below reflects the current official retail prices for petrol and wholesale prices for diesel across South Africa, effective from the 2 September 2026 adjustment cycle.
| Fuel Grade / Type | Inland Price (Gauteng) | Coastal Price | Status |
| Petrol 93 Unleaded / LRP | R26.76 per litre | R25.97 per litre | Confirmed Official |
| Petrol 95 Unleaded / LRP | R26.92 per litre | R25.31 per litre | Confirmed Official |
| Diesel 0.05% (500ppm) | R29.11 per litre | R24.00 per litre | Confirmed Official (Wholesale) |
| Diesel 0.005% (50ppm) | R29.56 per litre | R24.38 per litre | Confirmed Official (Wholesale) |
Price Change from the Previous Month
Evaluating the price change from the previous month helps track broader economic trends. When a monthly adjustment is finalized by the DMPR, the variance is expressed in cents per litre (c/l).
Tracking the Momentum
- Previous Month’s Shift: In the September 2026 cycle, motorists experienced significant relief at the pumps. The retail price of 95 Unleaded petrol dropped by up to 201 cents per litre, while wholesale diesel prices dropped by up to 359 cents per litre due to easing global crude oil costs.
- Impact on the Pump: Incremental changes in cents per litre quickly accumulate. For instance, a 200 c/l decrease reduces the cost of filling a standard 50-litre tank by R100.00.
Inland vs Coastal Prices
South Africa utilizes a zoned pricing structure, which creates a distinct cost disparity between inland provinces (such as Gauteng) and coastal regions (such as KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape, and the Eastern Cape).
Why Inland Motorists Pay More
The core driver behind the inland premium is the cost of domestic transport. Because South Africa imports a vast amount of its crude oil and refined petroleum products via coastal ports, this fuel must be pumped through pipelines or transported via rail and road to reach inland storage hubs.
Price Structure Differences
- Coastal Pricing: Positioned closest to the ports of entry, eliminating heavy domestic transport tariffs.
- Inland Pricing: Formulated by taking the Basic Fuel Price (BFP) and adding the state-regulated zone differentials required to cover internal distribution logistics.
Petrol Grades, Diesel, and Related Fuels
Pricing structures and regulations vary considerably between petrol and diesel products, changing how consumers and businesses buy fuel.
Petrol Grades: 93 vs 95 Octane
Petrol retail prices are fully regulated by the government. The primary choice for inland drivers is between 93 and 95 octane, whereas coastal regions exclusively utilize 95 octane due to lower altitude performance requirements. The pricing differential between the two grades is updated quarterly based on international product variables.
Diesel Pricing Mechanics
Unlike petrol, diesel is not subject to a fixed retail price in South Africa. The government sets a maximum wholesale price, but individual service stations and commercial fuel wholesalers are permitted to set their own retail profit margins.
- 500ppm (0.05% Sulphur): Typically the more economical, standard-grade diesel used frequently by older engines and heavy commercial vehicle fleets.
- 50ppm (0.005% Sulphur): A highly refined, low-sulphur fuel required by modern turbo-diesel passenger vehicles and high-tech transport machinery to maintain strict emission standards.
How to Use This Price Information
Regularly monitoring when the next fuel price adjustment occurs allows individuals and commercial enterprises to make strategic financial decisions.
Practical Applications
- Refuelling Strategy: If a significant price increase is projected for the first Wednesday of the upcoming month, it is highly economical to fill up your tank on the Tuesday evening prior. Conversely, if a substantial decrease is pending, waiting until Wednesday morning keeps money in your pocket.
- Business Fleet Budgeting: Logistics, agricultural, and mining companies use verified monthly data to calculate operational fuel surcharges, update corporate budgets, and project transport margins accurately.
Related Tools and Updates
To maintain total clarity, motorists must separate confirmed official adjustments from volatile mid-month commentary.
What Influences the Indicators?
Before the DMPR makes its official announcement, the daily movement of fuel indicators is governed by two core metrics:
- International Petroleum Product Prices: Driven primarily by global Brent Crude oil supply and demand dynamics.
- The US Dollar / South African Rand (USD/ZAR) Exchange Rate: Because oil is traded globally in US dollars, a weakening Rand drives up the Basic Fuel Price, while a strengthening Rand buffers local consumers.
The Central Energy Fund (CEF) publishes daily over- or under-recovery data based on these metrics. An under-recoverysuggests fuel prices may go up, while an over-recovery indicates they may come down. However, these are trailing averages and do not represent a guaranteed final rate.
To dive deeper into current tracking data and see where the numbers are heading before the official announcement, explore our comprehensive fuel price forecast. If you want to see how these impending shifts will affect your specific monthly vehicle expenses, you can immediately calculate fuel cost using our dedicated budgeting tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the next fuel price adjustment confirmed yet?
No. The exact price change is only confirmed when the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) releases the official press statement, usually a few days before the first Wednesday of the month. Daily CEF indicators are running estimates, not official adjustments.
What data dictates the monthly fuel price adjustment?
The adjustment relies on the average Basic Fuel Price (BFP) accumulated over a rolling monthly cycle. This is determined by international refined petroleum product prices, global oil prices, and the USD/ZAR exchange rate, alongside localized factors like the slate levy balance and government fuel taxes.
When is this page updated?
This page is updated continuously throughout the month as new CEF daily indicators emerge, and it is completely refreshed with absolute figures the moment the DMPR publishes the confirmed monthly adjustment schedule.
For historical data on how domestic fuel rates have shifted over the long term, feel free to browse our comprehensive fuel price updates archive, or return to our main fuel price update South Africa hub page for a bird’s-eye view of current macroeconomic trends.