Fuel and transport

Why petrol prices change every month

Updated 30 September 2026 ยท 2 min read

South African fuel prices change on the first Wednesday of every month. The new prices are announced by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources a few days before. Here is what drives them, and why inland drivers pay more.

What makes up the price of a litre

  • The basic fuel price. What it would cost to buy the fuel on international markets and ship it to South Africa. This is the part that moves every month.
  • Taxes and levies. The general fuel levy and the Road Accident Fund levy, set by government and usually changed once a year in the Budget.
  • Transport costs. Getting fuel from the coast to inland areas. This is why Gauteng and North West pay more than Durban or Cape Town.
  • Industry margins. Fixed amounts for wholesalers and filling stations, reviewed by the department.

Why it changes every month

Two things move the basic fuel price: the international price of petrol and diesel, and the rand-dollar exchange rate. Both are tracked every day during the review period. If fuel was cheaper overseas or the rand was stronger, the price goes down the next month. If oil was expensive or the rand was weak, it goes up.

In September 2026, for example, petrol went up by R1.34 a litre and diesel 50 ppm by R3.15, after higher international prices and a weaker rand.

Why diesel prices differ between garages

Petrol pump prices are regulated, so every garage in the same zone charges the same price. Diesel and paraffin are only regulated at wholesale level, so each garage sets its own pump price. It pays to compare diesel prices near you.

How to spend less on fuel

  • Fill up before an increase. New prices start at midnight on the Tuesday night.
  • Keep your tyres at the right pressure and your car serviced.
  • Drive at a steady speed. Hard acceleration and speeds above 110 km/h use a lot more fuel.
  • Share lifts to work, or join a lift club.
  • Use our trip calculator to budget for long trips before you go.

Want to know first? Sign up for fuel price alerts and we’ll message you the day new prices are announced.

This guide is general information. Official prices are published by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources.

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