South Africa’s motorists will see mixed adjustments at the pumps this week, as the Department of Petroleum and Mineral Resources announced official fuel price changes effective at midnight on Tuesday, 30 September 2025.
According to the department, petrol prices will increase slightly, while diesel users can expect a modest decrease.
These changes come as a result of fluctuating global oil prices, a stronger rand, and adjustments to forecourt wage costs.
Fuel Price Changes
- Petrol (93 and 95 octane): Increase of between 1 and 8 cents per litre
- Diesel (0.05% and 0.005% sulphur): Decrease of between 8 and 10 cents per litre
Factors Driving the Adjustment
- Global Oil Prices: Crude oil traded mostly around $67 per barrel throughout September, briefly spiking to $69 in the final week. While this exerted some upward pressure, the impact was contained.
- Stronger Rand: The rand remained firm during the month, averaging around R17.30/$ and finishing stronger toward the end of September. This helped offset potential increases in fuel costs.
- Wage Adjustments: Increases in wages for forecourt employees contributed to pushing petrol prices slightly higher, despite other favourable conditions.
The Department noted that the price environment improved during the course of the month, shifting from an under-recovery at the start of September to an over-recovery by month-end – particularly for diesel.
Impact on Consumers
While petrol users will face a small increase, the hike is minimal compared to previous months.
Diesel users, especially those in the commercial transport and agriculture sectors, will welcome the slight decrease as operating costs continue to mount.
Motorists are advised to plan accordingly and stay updated on future fuel adjustments as global oil markets and exchange rates continue to fluctuate.
| FUEL | PRICE CHANGE |
| Petrol 93 | increase of 1 cents |
| Petrol 95 | increase of 8 cents |
| Diesel 0.05% | decrease of 10 cents |
| Diesel 0.005% | decrease of 8 cents |
| Illuminating Paraffin | decrease of 11 cents |
FUEL PRICE IN SOUTH AFRICA IMPACTED BY TWO MAIN FACTORS:
1. The international price of petroleum products, driven mainly by oil prices
2. The rand/dollar exchange rate used in the purchase of these products
Oil price
At the time of publishing the brent crude oil price is $65.92 a barrel.
Exchange rate
At the time of publishing the rand/dollar exchange rate is R17.28/$.
The new October 2025 petrol and diesel prices (Inland and Coastal):
| INLAND | September | October |
| Petrol 93 | R21.47 | R21.48 |
| Petrol 95 | R21.55 | R21.63 |
| Diesel 0.05% | R19.44 | R19.34 |
| Diesel 0.005% | R19.47 | R19.39 |
| Illuminating Paraffin | R13.10 | R12.99 |
| COASTAL | September | October |
| Petrol 93 | R20.68 | R20.69 |
| Petrol 95 | R20.72 | R20.80 |
| Diesel 0.05% | R18.61 | R18.51 |
| Diesel 0.005% | R18.71 | R18.63 |
| Illuminating Paraffin | R12.09 | R11.98 |
