South Africans gearing up for the festive season may need to brace themselves for unwelcome news at the pumps, with early data suggesting a significant fuel price increase in early December.
December, typically a period of holiday travel, family visits and increased spending, may instead bring added financial strain as both petrol and diesel prices appear poised for another sharp rise.
The expected hikes come at a time when many households are already battling higher living costs.
Weaker Rand and Global Pressures Drive Up Costs
Industry experts warn that the anticipated increase is being fuelled by a combination of volatile international oil prices, a weaker rand, and global supply constraints – all of which are placing upward pressure on South Africa’s fuel pricing system.
The situation looks especially grim for diesel vehicle owners, who are projected to face far steeper increases than petrol motorists, compounding the financial blow for businesses and individuals reliant on diesel-powered transport.
CEF Data Points to Heavy Under-Recoveries
According to the Central Energy Fund (CEF), which tracks daily fuel price movements, indicators show sizeable under-recoveries across the board.
These under-recoveries typically translate into price hikes when monthly fuel adjustments are made.
With millions of South Africans expected to travel over the festive season, analysts say the timing couldn’t be worse.
The official December fuel price adjustment will be confirmed by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) early next week.
Below, the latest projections as received by The South African website from the Central Energy Fund (CEF):
| FUEL | PRICE CHANGE |
| Petrol 93 | increase of 19 cents |
| Petrol 95 | increase of 24 cents |
| Diesel 0.05% | increase of 72 cents |
| Diesel 0.005% | increase of 89 cents |
| Illuminating Paraffin | increase of 79 cents |
If the market conditions were to remain consistent for the remainder of the month – an unlikely scenario with the rand/dollar exchange rate fluctuating and the oil price ever changing – an increase of 19 cents is expected for petrol 93 octane motorists and an increase of 24 cents for 95 users.
Meanwhile, diesel motorists would see something between a 72 and 89 cents per litre increase.
Finally, illuminating paraffin is expected to rise by 79 cents in price.
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 $63.04 a barrel.
Exchange rate
At the time of publishing the rand/dollar exchange rate is R17.26/$.
The final overall price changes for both petrol and diesel will be confirmed later in the month with the new prices taking effect at midnight on either Tuesday, 2 December.
Go easy on the accelerator until then, Mzansi.
The current November 2025 petrol and diesel prices (Inland and Coastal):
| INLAND | November |
| Petrol 93 | R20.97 |
| Petrol 95 | R21.12 |
| Diesel 0.05% | R19.13 |
| Diesel 0.005% | R19.20 |
| Illuminating Paraffin | R12.98 |
| COASTAL | November |
| Petrol 93 | R20.18 |
| Petrol 95 | R20.29 |
| Diesel 0.05% | R18.30 |
| Diesel 0.005% | R18.44 |
| Illuminating Paraffin | R11.97 |
