Slight price changes will be seen at the pumps in South Africa starting Wednesday, 1 October 2025. According to the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, the price of petrol will go up. In contrast, the prices of diesel and illuminating paraffin will see a downtrend. These changes are against the backdrop of changes in global oil markets, exchange rates, and wage pressures in the fuels industry.
Petrol Prices Rise Marginally
Petrol prices are rising slightly but differently:
- 93 Unleaded increases by 1 cent per litre.
- 95 Unleaded increases by 8 cents per litre.
To give an example, 95 Unleaded may be set at R20.84 along the coast and R21.63 inland in Gauteng.
Diesel, Paraffin & LPG See Price Cuts
While petrol prices are edging upward, allowances are offered to other fuel types:
- Diesel (0.05% sulphur) decreases by 10 cents per litre.
- Diesel (0.005% sulphur) decreases by 08 cents per litre.
- Wholesaling illuminating paraffin drops by 11 cents per litre.
- With LPGas, reduction is 17 cents per kg, while the Western Cape zones observe slightly more at 19 cents off.
These reductions offer some relief mainly to the transport sector and low-income households who are dependent on diesel and paraffin for cooking or heating.
What in the World Drives These Changes
Several factors lead to these miscellaneous adjustments:
- The strengthening of the rand against the US dollar aided somewhat to soften the burden of rising international oil costs: from about R17.73 to about R17.49.
- In terms of wage adjustments for the forecourt staff, this contributed 6.1 c/l to petrol price structure.
- Oil prices (Brent) were reported to increase mildly in the review period, pouring more pressure on basic fuel pricing.
Nonetheless, a stronger rand helps lessen the weight of these headwinds particularly in the case of diesel and paraffin.
What This Can Spell for Consumers
Thus, fuel changes speak of some positive side and some negative implications:
- The petrol route is a little more expensive than it was before — a 50-litre fill of 95 petrol will be costing a few rands more.
- Diesel users, transport, logistics, and farmers have less to pay, and this might pave descending prices further for goods and delivery.
- Paraffin or LPG becoming cheaper is more to the benefit of low-income households using them for cooking and heating.
The net effect may go a long way to holding down inflation pressures in sectors particularly sensitive to fuel costs.
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