In the past month, the average price of a barrel of crude oil decreased from $86,53 to $82,37 per barrel. The impact of renewed US/Iran tensions which caused the price to increase up to $100 per barrel, was offset by the fact that the prices had already decreased significantly the previous month and the first half of this month due to the ceasefire MOU between the US and Iran as well as lower global demand for crude oil.
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The average international product prices decreased, while the prices of diesel and illuminating paraffin increased due to supply shortages caused by the Russia/Ukraine conflict which resulted in diesel export restrictions by Russia. The situation was compounded by the Middle East Refineries that were operating below capacity. This led to lower contributions to the Basic Fuel Prices (BFP) of petrol by 6,08 cents per litre, and higher contributions to the BFP of diesel by 182,62 cents per litre of diesel, and 143,32 cents per litre of illuminating paraffin. The prices of propane and butane decreased.
The Rand depreciated slightly on average against the US Dollar – from R16,34 to R16,46 per USD – during the period under review. This led to higher contributions to the Basic Fuel Prices of petrol by 6,37c per litre, 8,14c per litre for diesel, and 7,89c per litre for illuminating paraffin.
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The cumulative slate amounted to a negative balance of R7,418 billion for petrol and diesel as at the end of September 2025. In line with the provisions of the Self-Adjusting Slate Levy Mechanism, the slate levy of 61,38 c/l will be implemented in the price structures of petrol and diesel with effect from the 5th of August 2026. The Slate Levy has decreased by 52,56 c/l from 113,94 to 61,38 c/l.
The Maximum Refinery Gate Price (MRGP) and the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of LPGas that is imported through the Port of Saldanha Bay will be R14 562,59 per metric tonne and R35,81 per kilogram, respectively, effective from 5 August 2026.
August fuel prices will be adjusted as follows from 5 August:
- Petrol 93 ULP & LRP: Decrease of 52c/l
- 95 ULP & LRP: Decrease of 52c/l
- Diesel 500ppm: Increase of 138,44c/l
- Diesel 50ppm: Increase of 123,44c/l
- Illuminating paraffin: Increase of 152c/l on the wholesale price
- Illuminating paraffin: Increase of 203c/l on the suggested retail price
- LPGas: Decrease of 441c/kg on the maximum retail price (except for the Western Cape where it will decrease by 503c/kg.)
This adjustment would mean a decrease of about R28,60 for a tank of petrol and an increase of about R76 on a 55-litre tank of diesel.
