In the past month, the average price of a barrel of crude oil decreased from $63,54 to $61,47 per barrel. This is mainly due to over-supply from increased production by OPEC+ as well as non-OPEC countries.
The price of the average international petroleum product prices of petrol followed the lower oil price, while the prices of diesel and illuminating paraffin decreased more significantly because of higher inventories for the winter season in the Northern Hemisphere.
These factors lead to lower contributions to the Basic Fuel Prices (BFP) of petrol by 45,03 cents per litre, 126,97 cents per litre of diesel, and 87,96 cents per litre for illuminating paraffin. The prices of propane and butane increased due to tighter global supply.
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The Rand appreciated on average against the US Dollar – from R17,23 to R16,85 – during the period under review. This led to lower contributions to the Basic Fuel Prices of petrol by 20,8c per litre, 22,31c per litre for diesel, and 22,54c per litre for illuminating paraffin.
The cumulative slate amounted to a positive balance of R3,3 billion for petrol and diesel as at the end of November 2025. Therefore, the slate levy of zero cents per litre remains in the price structures of petrol and diesel with effect from 7 January 2026.
In line with the Working Rules to determine the Basic Fuels Prices (BFP), the differential between 95 and 93 octanes is adjusted on the first Wednesday of each quarter. The BFP Octane differential has changed during the previous quarter and therefore the retail prices of 95 and 93 petrol octanes will be different in each fuel-pricing zone with effect from 7 January 2026.
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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 R12 603,99 and R33,22 per kilogram, respectively, effective from 7 January 2026.
The fuel prices will be adjusted as follows from 7 January 2026:
- Petrol 93 ULP & LRP: Decrease of 62c/l
- 95 ULP & LRP: Decrease of 66c/l
- Diesel 500ppm: Decrease of R1,37/l
- Diesel 50ppm: Decrease of R1,50c/l
- Illuminating paraffin: Decrease of R1,10/l on the wholesale price
- Illuminating paraffin: Decrease of R1,48/l on the suggested retail price
- LPGas: Increase of 21c/kg on the maximum retail price (except for the Western Cape where it will increase by 23c/kg.
This adjustment would mean a decrease of about R36,30 for a tank of petrol and about R75,35 on a 55-litre tank of diesel.
