The December 2026 fuel price forecast points to a petrol price cut and a diesel increase when the monthly adjustment takes effect on Wednesday, 2 December 2026.
According to the Central Energy Fund (CEF), its daily data sheet for Wednesday, 11 November 2026 shows petrol 95 over-recovering by an average of R3.12 a litre and petrol 93 by R2.86 since Friday, 30 October 2026. An over-recovery means the current pump price is higher than the cost of fuel, which points to a cut.
PLEASE NOTE: The December changes below are calculated from the CEF daily data sheet and the scheduled change to the fuel levy relief, and are not an official announcement. Tank costs are calculated. Readers should double-check prices. Swisher Post and its partners shall not be held liable for any consequence arising from this content.
What does the December 2026 fuel price forecast mean per litre?
Diesel 0.05% shows an average over-recovery of R0.97 a litre, and diesel 0.005% shows R1.34. The temporary levy relief shrinks on Wednesday, 2 December 2026, from R1.50 to R1 a litre on petrol and from R3 to R1.50 on diesel, which adds R0.50 and R1.50 back to prices.
| Area | Fuel type | November price | Indicative change | Indicative December price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inland | Petrol 95 | R30.24 | -R2.62 | R27.62 |
| Inland | Petrol 93 | R29.87 | -R2.36 | R27.51 |
| Inland | Diesel 0.05% | R30.86 | +R0.53 | R31.39 |
| Inland | Diesel 0.005% | R31.60 | +R0.16 | R31.76 |
| Coastal | Petrol 95 | R29.37 | -R2.62 | R26.75 |
| Coastal | Petrol 93 | R29.08 | -R2.36 | R26.72 |
| Coastal | Diesel 0.05% | R29.98 | +R0.53 | R30.51 |
The net figures subtract the over-recovery from the pump price and add back the smaller levy relief. Diesel prices are wholesale prices, and the retail diesel price is not regulated, so pump prices may differ.
The November 2026 fuel price decrease was the first adjustment to carry the relief.
How much does a full tank cost under the December 2026 fuel price forecast?
| Vehicle type | Tank size (litres) | Inland cost | Coastal cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact hatchbacks | 35 to 45 | R966.70 to R1 242.90 | R936.25 to R1 203.75 |
| Sedans | 50 to 65 | R1 381.00 to R1 795.30 | R1 337.50 to R1 738.75 |
| SUVs | 55 to 80 | R1 519.10 to R2 209.60 | R1 471.25 to R2 140.00 |
| Bakkies and minibuses | 65 to 80 | R1 795.30 to R2 209.60 | R1 738.75 to R2 140.00 |
Based on petrol 95 at an indicative R27.62 inland and R26.75 at the coast, a 60-litre fill costs R1 657.20 inland, down from R1 814.40, and R1 605.00 at the coast, down from R1 762.20. A petrol fill is R157.20 cheaper in both areas if the final adjustment matches the forecast.
Why is the December 2026 fuel price forecast showing a petrol cut?
The CEF sheet splits the petrol 95 over-recovery into 310.669 cents a litre (c/l) from international product prices and 1.767 c/l from the exchange rate, which stood at R16.53 to the dollar on Wednesday, 11 November 2026. For diesel 0.05%, the split is 94.307 c/l and 2.608 c/l.
The figures are averages for a window that runs until late November, when the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources is expected to announce the final adjustments.
The slate levy, a charge that recovers earlier fuel under-recoveries, stood at 135.84 c/l in November after a 48.18 c/l increase.
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced the R10 billion relief in the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement on Wednesday, 21 October 2026. Bobby Ramagwede, chief executive of the Automobile Association of South Africa (AA), responded the same day, saying the temporary measure was not enough:
We’ve highlighted that this can be funded through better fiscal management.
The relief is due to end on Tuesday, 5 January 2027, and illuminating paraffin, which carries no fuel levy and so receives no relief, shows an average over-recovery of R1.74 a litre in the CEF sheet.
Sources
- Central Energy Fund, Update on Daily Fuel Price 11-11-2026 data sheet (12 November 2026)
- Swisher Post, November 2026 fuel price decrease: How much a litre costs
- Swisher Post, Fuel levy cut: R3 a litre off diesel from 4 November
- BusinessTech, Great news for petrol prices in South Africa
- Stuff South Africa, Early petrol price predictions for December hint at a R1+ price cut (7 November 2026)
- IOL, Festive season petrol price forecast: Up to R1.82-a-litre December cut expected (12 November 2026)
- The Mercury, Big petrol price cuts possible in December but diesel remains uncertain (12 November 2026)
- Carmag, SA fuel price forecast: Petrol to drop and diesel to rise in December 2026
- EWN, New fuel levy relief kicks in from November, but AA says temporary measure not enough (21 October 2026)
