South Africa will adjust fuel prices from May 6, 2026, after a review of local and international factors affecting fuel costs, the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources said.
According to the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, the adjustment reflects movements in crude oil prices, international petroleum product prices, the rand-dollar exchange rate, slate levy provisions and temporary fuel levy relief.
The department said the average Brent crude oil price increased from $93.67 to $101 during the review period. It attributed the rise to continued tension between the United States and Iran, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and damage to other key infrastructure affecting crude oil supply.
International petroleum product prices followed the same upward trend, according to the statement. The department said prices for middle distillates, including diesel and paraffin, rose more than petrol prices because of higher demand and reduced supply from the Persian Gulf.
Those factors added R2.04 per litre to the Basic Fuel Price of petrol, R4.96 per litre to diesel and R4.21 per litre to illuminating paraffin, the department said. Propane and butane prices also rose during the review period because of limited global supply linked to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The rand remained largely steady against the U.S. dollar, moving from 16.64 to 16.65 rand per dollar during the review period. The department said the exchange-rate movement added less than one cent per litre to the Basic Fuel Prices of petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin.
The department also said the cumulative slate balance stood at a negative R14.173 billion for petrol and diesel at the end of March 2026. A slate levy of 122.70 cents per litre will be implemented in the price structures of petrol and diesel from May 6 under the Self-Adjusting Slate Levy Mechanism.
A short-term relief measure will also remain in place. The department said the minister of finance, in consultation with the minister of mineral and petroleum resources, announced a further temporary reduction in the general fuel levy of 300.0 cents per litre for petrol and 393.0 cents per litre for diesel.
The reduction will apply in the price structures of petrol and diesel from May 6 to June 2, 2026.
For LPGas imported through the Port of Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape, the Maximum Refinery Gate Price will be R18,375.72 per metric ton. The Maximum Retail Price will be R40.85 per kilogram, effective May 6, the department said.
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