Getting the good and bad news on fuel within October 2025, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) had confirmed against putting increases on oil and decreases on diesel price. Because of the trends in the international oil market and rand-dollar exchange rate, some adjustments were supposed to be implemented beginning from the Wednesday that opened October.
Diesel Price Decrease
October is really a month when undesired increases in petrol sometimes happen. This time, they have set the price up by R0.34 and R0.48 for both grades of petrol, 93- and 95-octane petrol, respectively, depending on the region, which is the third increase within four months, a further squeeze on the common citizen and business establishments. According to the DMRE, the late increase in the petrol price is largely due to high international crude oil prices-the crude recently averaging $92 per barrel as compared to $86 in the month of September. Further upward pressure on price is borne by supply-side constraints that are international alongside some geopolitical tension in certain oil-producing areas.
Diesel Price Relief
That is to say, diesel users are being afforded some relief. According to the Minister of Minerals and Energy, the price is to be reduced between R0.27 per litre and R0.42 per litre. Transport, agriculture, and manufacturing in the processes are highly diesel-oriented, which means that the discount will help a lot. At a very low level, international diesel refining margins, which had soft spot for the whole month of September, along with the worldwide stock record looked unfavourable—-thus the resultant drop. These analysts claim this reprieve would keep food and logistics costs in check but technically should be offset by a petrol rise for the consumer.
Paraffin and Gas Adjustments
Despite the lighting paraffin price decrease of 15 cents per litre, households dependent on lighting paraffin had been given relief. Meanwhile, the LPG prices will go up with rising shipping and import charges. The paraffin price cut would go a little way in alleviating some energy costs for lower-income earners who can barely hold on under these expenses.
Rand Price Impact
Therefore, besides the diesel reduction, another important issue behind the fuel price adjustment in October was the Rand money market. The Rand has been recorded at an average of 18.72 against the US dollar in the last month, hence being slightly weaker in comparison with that in the month of September. Since the price of fuel is dollar-based, in this weaker foreign exchange situation the diesel reduction ought to have been diluted while the petrol increase should have been magnified.
Economic Situation and Styles
The October fuel price crises again go on to prove the volatility of the South African fuel market, wherein the consumer is often between global oil shocks and foreign-currency fluctuations. An increase in petrol prices will, indeed, mean higher transport costs and less disposable income as per any household.If diesel continues to fall even for some time, it would be beneficial to keep minimizing operating expenses for those businesses that use diesel. However, if petrol prices keep rising, economists conclude that inflationary pressures are starting to be felt in months to come.
also read : R3,070 Youth Grant Payments: September 2025 Full Schedule Confirmed