South African motorists could soon enjoy some much-needed relief at the pumps, with petrol prices expected to drop by up to 63 cents per litre and diesel by 35 cents in early November.
The projections come from the Central Energy Fund (CEF), which tracks daily fuel price movements and under-recoveries in the local pricing system.
What’s driving the drop
The expected decline is being driven by two key global and local factors:
1. A stronger rand – The South African rand has strengthened against the US dollar in recent weeks. Since crude oil is priced in dollars, a stronger local currency helps reduce the cost of importing fuel.
2. Falling oil prices – The price of Brent Crude oil had fallen below $62 per barrel, down from around $67, following a ceasefire in Gaza that has eased geopolitical tensions in the Middle East – a region central to global oil production. The reduction has calmed fears of supply disruptions and contributed to global price stability.
Relief for consumers and businesses
If confirmed, the fuel price cut will offer welcome relief to households and businesses grappling with rising living costs, load shedding, and inflation.
High transport costs have been a major driver of consumer price increases over the past year, affecting food distribution, logistics, and daily commuting.
Economists say the anticipated reduction will help ease inflationary pressure and provide breathing room for small businesses that have been forced to absorb higher fuel costs.
The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) is expected to officially announce the new prices at the end of October, with adjustments taking effect in the first week of November.
If the downward trend continues, South Africans could see their most significant fuel price relief in months – a rare bright spot amid broader economic challenges.
Below, the latest projections as received by The South African website from the Central Energy Fund (CEF):
FUEL | PRICE CHANGE |
Petrol 93 | decrease of 63 cents |
Petrol 95 | decrease of 59 cents |
Diesel 0.05% | decrease of 35 cents |
Diesel 0.005% | decrease of 34 cents |
Illuminating Paraffin | decrease of 16 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 63 cents is expected for petrol 93 octane motorists and a decrease of 59 cents for 95 users.
Meanwhile, diesel motorists would see something between a 34 and 35 cents per litre decrease.
Finally, illuminating paraffin is expected to drop by 16 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 $65.90 a barrel.
Exchange rate
At the time of publishing the rand/dollar exchange rate is R17.36/$.
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 |