South African motorists may soon see a welcome reprieve at the pumps, with petrol prices projected to drop by as much as 61 cents per litre and diesel by 26 cents in early November.
This is according to the latest data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF), which tracks daily fuel price fluctuations.
Strengthening rand
The expected price cuts come amid a combination of stabilising international oil prices and a strengthening rand, both of which have contributed to a notable under-recovery in local fuel prices.
A major factor influencing the drop is the decline in Brent Crude oil prices, which fell from an average of around $67 per barrel to $62.
The decrease follows a recent ceasefire announcement in Gaza, which has eased global fears of potential supply disruptions from the Middle East – a region critical to global oil production.
At the same time, the South African rand has shown improved performance against the US dollar, further supporting favourable import conditions for the country’s fuel supply. A stronger rand reduces the cost of buying oil in global markets, which is priced in dollars.
If the current trends continue, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) is expected to confirm the new fuel prices for November at the end of this month.
The potential price cuts would offer some relief to consumers and businesses alike, who have been grappling with the cumulative effects of high transport costs, inflation, and load shedding over recent months.
Below, the latest projections as received by The South African website from the Central Energy Fund (CEF):
| FUEL | PRICE CHANGE |
| Petrol 93 | decrease of 61 cents |
| Petrol 95 | decrease of 58 cents |
| Diesel 0.05% | decrease of 26 cents |
| Diesel 0.005% | decrease of 26 cents |
| Illuminating Paraffin | decrease of 12 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 – a decrease of 61 cents is expected for petrol 93 octane motorists and a decrease of 58 cents for 95 users.
Meanwhile, diesel motorists would see something around a 26 cents per litre decrease.
Finally, illuminating paraffin is expected to drop by 12 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 $62.39 a barrel.
Exchange rate
At the time of publishing the rand/dollar exchange rate is R17.33/$.
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, 4 November.
Go easy on the accelerator until then, Mzansi.
The current October 2025 petrol and diesel prices (Inland and Coastal):
| INLAND | October |
| Petrol 93 | R21.48 |
| Petrol 95 | R21.63 |
| Diesel 0.05% | R19.34 |
| Diesel 0.005% | R19.39 |
| Illuminating Paraffin | R12.99 |
| COASTAL | October |
| Petrol 93 | R20.69 |
| Petrol 95 | R20.80 |
| Diesel 0.05% | R18.51 |
| Diesel 0.005% | R18.63 |
| Illuminating Paraffin | R11.98 |
