South African Fuel Prices Adjusted: Petrol Slightly Up, Diesel and Paraffin Down from October 1
By NewsInSA
South Africa’s Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources has announced October 2025 fuel price changes. Petrol rises slightly, while diesel, paraffin, and LP gas prices drop, offering relief to motorists and households.
South African motorists will face mixed changes at the pumps as the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources confirmed new fuel price adjustments effective Wednesday, 1 October 2025.
According to the announcement, 93 octane petrol will rise by 1 cent per litre, while 95 octane petrol will increase by 8 cents per litre. On the positive side, diesel prices will drop by between 8 and 10 cents per litre, providing relief to transporters and businesses reliant on logistics.
Households relying on paraffin will also benefit, as the retail price of illuminating paraffin decreases by 15 cents per litre, while the wholesale price falls by 11 cents per litre. Additionally, the maximum retail price of LP gas will drop by 17 cents per kilogram countrywide, and by 19 cents per kilogram in the Western Cape.
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Reasons Behind the Adjustments
The department attributed the moderate changes to several factors, including:
- A slight increase in Brent crude oil prices during the review period.
- A general decline in international petroleum product prices.
- The rand’s appreciation against the US dollar, which cushioned local fuel costs by about 14–15 cents per litre.
Furthermore, the minister approved a 6.1 cents per litre increase in the retail margin for both petrol grades to accommodate wage increases for forecourt employees, in line with the Motor Industry Bargaining Council agreement signed on 23 August 2025.
Economists See Limited Impact
Economists say the changes are unlikely to have a major impact on the economy. David Ro, an economic analyst, noted that the stronger rand prevented sharper fuel hikes.
“If it hadn’t been for the rand performing well in recent weeks, petrol price increases would have been much higher. If this trend continues, South Africans could even see petrol price cuts next month,” he explained.
Outlook
With stable international oil prices and a relatively strong rand, analysts believe fuel prices in 2025 may remain under control. This comes as a welcome development for consumers and businesses alike, offering some relief amid broader economic pressures.