The October 2026 fuel price increase takes effect on Wednesday, 7 October 2026, lifting petrol 95 by R3.33 a litre to R30.25 inland and R29.38 at the coast.
According to the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, average international prices for petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin rose over the review period from 28 August 2026 to 1 October 2026.
The changes were announced in a media statement released by the Central Energy Fund (CEF) on Friday, 2 October 2026.
PLEASE NOTE: The price adjustments below are taken from the monthly media statement of the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, except coastal petrol 93, which comes from published reports of its zone prices. 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 October 2026 fuel price increase mean per litre?
From Wednesday, 7 October 2026, inland petrol 95 rises from R26.92, set in the September adjustment, to R30.25 a litre.
Petrol 93 rises by R3.12 because the gap between the two petrol grades is reset at the start of each quarter, and diesel 0.05% rises by R2.84.
| Area | Fuel type | Price per litre | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inland | Petrol 95 | R30.25 | +R3.33 |
| Inland | Petrol 93 | R29.88 | +R3.12 |
| Inland | Diesel 0.05% | R31.95 | +R2.84 |
| Coastal | Petrol 95 | R29.38 | +R3.33 |
| Coastal | Petrol 93 | R29.09 | +R3.12 |
| Coastal | Diesel 0.05% | R31.08 | +R2.84 |
Diesel prices are wholesale prices, and the retail diesel price is not regulated, so pump prices may differ.
Diesel 0.005% rises by R3.24 a litre, but its new inland price is R32.80 in the CEF statement and R33.29 in published reports, which requires further confirmation.
Illuminating paraffin’s wholesale price rises by R3.58 a litre, while its single maximum national retail price rises by R4.77 to R31.82. The maximum retail price of LPG rises by R0.42 a kilogram to R37.81 inland and R34.56 at the coast.
How much does a full tank cost after the October 2026 fuel price increase?
| Vehicle type | Tank size (litres) | Inland cost | Coastal cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact hatchbacks | 35 to 45 | R1 058.75 to R1 361.25 | R1 028.30 to R1 322.10 |
| Sedans | 50 to 65 | R1 512.50 to R1 966.25 | R1 469.00 to R1 909.70 |
| SUVs | 55 to 80 | R1 663.75 to R2 420.00 | R1 615.90 to R2 350.40 |
| Bakkies and minibuses | 65 to 80 | R1 966.25 to R2 420.00 | R1 909.70 to R2 350.40 |
Based on petrol 95 at R30.25 inland and R29.38 at the coast, a 60-litre fill costs R1 815.00 inland, up R199.80 from R1 615.20.
At the coast, the same fill costs R1 762.80, up from R1 563.00.
Why did fuel prices rise in October 2026?
Higher international product prices were the main driver. South Africa buys fuel at dollar-based prices, and that cost feeds into the Basic Fuel Price (BFP), the core of the monthly calculation. Petrol 95 under-recovered by 328.894 c/l over 25 days, meaning pump prices had not covered the actual cost
The rand strengthened marginally, averaging R16.2123 to the dollar against R16.2139 in the previous period. That trimmed the BFP by 0.171 c/l on petrol, 0.215 c/l on diesel and 0.212 c/l on paraffin, too small to offset the rise.
The slate levy, which recovers a negative balance built up by earlier under-recoveries, rose from 83.28 c/l to 87.66 c/l, adding 4.38 c/l to petrol and diesel. The combined slate balance stood at negative R10.456 billion at the end of August 2026.
The prices in the department’s statement cover the period to Tuesday, 3 November 2026, with the next adjustment due after that. The R3.33 rise is the largest monthly increase for inland petrol 95 in the statement’s price history, which starts in April 2024.
Sources
- CEF media statement on behalf of the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, 2 October 2026
- Swisher Post, South Africa petrol price increase confirmed for September
- Swisher Post, September 2026 fuel price increase hits diesel hardest
- Swisher Post, US diesel price record high as Iran war hits supply
- BusinessTech, Here is the official petrol price for October
- The Zambian Observer, South Africa has just increased petrol prices to R30.25 per litre
