South Africa Fuel Price Hike October 2025: What Changes, Why It Changed, and How It Affects Your Budget

From 1 October 2025, motorists and households will see a modest increase in petrol but reductions for diesel, illuminating paraffin, and LPG. These adjustments reflect movements in global oil markets, the rand’s performance against the US dollar, and structural elements of South Africa’s fuel pricing framework, including regulated margins and approved wage costs in the forecourt industry.

While the petrol rise is marginal, the diesel and paraffin cuts offer relief to logistics operators, farmers, and low-income households who rely on these fuels for transport, cooking, and space heating. LPG users also benefit from a measurable reduction, with certain Western Cape pricing zones recording a slightly larger cut.

South Africa Fuel Price Hike October 2025 Quick summary

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Petrol: small increases, different by grade

What is changing

• 93 Unleaded Petrol (ULP): up 1 cent per litre
• 95 Unleaded Petrol (ULP): up 8 cents per litre

What it means in practice

Petrol users will pay a little more to fill up. On a 50-litre tank of 95 ULP, the change equates to R4.00 more than last month’s fill at the same station. The impact is smaller for 93 ULP (about 50 cents more per 50 litres).

Example pump prices (illustrative)

• 95 ULP: roughly R20.84/l at coastal stations and R21.63/l at inland (Gauteng) stations.
  These examples highlight the familiar coastal vs inland differential, driven by transport costs, storage and distribution, and regulated zone differences. Your actual station price may vary slightly depending on location and rounding.

Diesel, paraffin and LPG: cuts provide targeted relief

Diesel

• 0.05% sulphur: –10c/l
• 0.005% sulphur: –8c/l

Diesel reductions lower operating costs for freight, agriculture, and many public transport fleets. Over time, they can moderate price pressures on goods moved by road, especially food and household essentials.

Illuminating paraffin

• Wholesale illuminating paraffin: –11c/l

This is important for households that use paraffin for cooking and heating, particularly in areas with limited access to electricity or where loadshedding makes alternative fuels necessary.

LPG

• Liquefied Petroleum Gas: –17c/kg nationally, with –19c/kg in the Western Cape zones
  LPG reductions support households and small businesses that use gas for cooking, water heating, and space heating. As LPG is sold by weight, the reduction is quoted per kilogram rather than per litre.

Why the numbers moved: key drivers behind the October adjustment

1. Global oil prices (Brent)
   Brent crude prices tick up or down in monthly review periods, influencing South Africa’s Basic Fuel Price (BFP). In the most recent review window, Brent was reportedly marginally higher, adding pressure to petrol, which is more sensitive to this component.
2. Rand–US dollar exchange rate
   A slightly stronger rand against the US dollar moving from roughly R17.73/$ to around R17.49/$ helped offset some of the oil-price pressure, especially for diesel and paraffin, contributing to their price reductions.
3. Local cost factors and wage provisions
   Adjustments to the fuel price structure may include wage costs for forecourt staff and other regulated margins. For October, wage provisions added an estimated 6.1c/l to the petrol price structure.
4. Taxes and levies remain constant month to month
   The General Fuel Levy and Road Accident Fund (RAF) levy typically only change at the national budget window (April). When these are unchanged, monthly movements reflect external market dynamics and regulated cost updates.

What this means for consumers: winners and watchers

• Private motorists: expect a minor increase at the pump for petrol, with 95 ULP rising more than 93 ULP.
• Diesel users: receive tangible relief. If you run delivery vehicles or farm equipment, the October cut could trim operating costs, particularly at scale.
• Households using paraffin or LPG: benefit from lower cooking and heating costs, a welcome shift as seasonal electricity demand rises.
• Inflation outlook: diesel and paraffin cuts can counteract some inflationary pressure in goods distribution and household energy baskets, while the slight petrol increase is unlikely, on its own, to move headline inflation meaningfully.

How the monthly price is set: a brief primer

South Africa’s pump prices are adjusted monthly using a formula that blends:

• The Basic Fuel Price (BFP), derived from international product prices and freight
• The rand–dollar exchange rate over the review window
• Regulated margins for wholesale and retail
• Levies and taxes (e.g., General Fuel Levy, RAF)
• Zone differentials reflecting storage and distribution

This is why prices can rise for one product (e.g., petrol) while falling for another (e.g., diesel), and why inland and coastal prices differ.

Coastal vs inland: why your price differs

Coastal regions benefit from proximity to import terminals and refineries, which reduces certain logistics costs. Inland prices incorporate transport and handling to move product to depots and retail sites, contributing to the higher inland pump price for the same grade of fuel.

Practical tips to manage your fuel spend

• Choose the right octane: Most modern vehicles designed for 95 ULP can run on 93 ULP at altitude without performance loss; consult your owner’s manual.
• Plan trips and consolidate errands: Fewer cold starts and shorter idle time reduce consumption.
• Maintain tyre pressures and service intervals: Underinflated tyres and overdue services increase fuel use.
• Use loyalty rewards wisely: Station and retailer programmes can offset a few cents per litre over time.
• Compare prices nearby: While regulated, small differences and promotions may exist within a zone.

FAQs

When do the new prices take effect?

At 00:01 on Wednesday, 1 October 2025.

Why is petrol up but diesel down this month?

Different product supply demand dynamics and international prices, combined with the exchange rate and the BFP calculation, can push petrol and diesel in opposite directions in a given month.

Why are coastal prices lower than inland prices?

Coastal areas incur lower logistics costs tied to import and storage. Inland prices include transport and distribution from the coast, which raises the regulated pump price.

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Are these example prices guaranteed at my station?

No. The illustrative coastal/inland 95 ULP figures give a ballpark view. Actual pump prices vary by zone and rounding. Always check the posted price at your station.

Does the wage adjustment affect all fuels?

Wage and margin provisions are built into the regulated structure and may be reflected differently across products depending on how the formula components are applied.

Where can I see the official monthly tables?

Visit the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy website for official adjustments and price breakdowns: https://www.energy.gov.za.

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Final word

October 2025 brings a mixed basket at the pumps: petrol up slightly, but diesel, paraffin and LPG all cheaper. For motorists, the increase is modest; for freight-heavy businesses, farmers, and households using paraffin or LPG, the cuts offer meaningful relief. Keep an eye on the rand, Brent crude, and DMRE notices these remain the biggest swing factors in the months ahead.

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