Quick Summary
- South Africa’s fuel price is reviewed monthly and gazetted by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy.
- The price adjustment for June 2026 will be confirmed at the end of May 2026.
- Petrol 93, Petrol 95, diesel and illuminating paraffin are all subject to the monthly review.
- The rand-dollar exchange rate and international product prices drive the change.
- Coastal and inland pump prices differ due to the zone differential.
The fuel price for June 2026 in South Africa will be set under the country’s standard monthly review cycle. The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) gazettes the official adjustment on the last working day of the previous month. Motorists should treat any figure circulating before the official gazette as a forecast, not a confirmed price.
How the Fuel Price Is Calculated
South African fuel prices are not set by retailers. The Central Energy Fund tracks daily landed costs throughout the month and reports the average to the DMRE. The Minister then gazettes the price adjustment for the following month.
The Basic Fuel Price (BFP) covers the international cost of refined petrol and diesel, plus shipping, insurance and ocean loss. On top of the BFP, the local price includes the General Fuel Levy, the Road Accident Fund (RAF) levy, customs and excise, the slate levy, retail and wholesale margins, and the transport cost from the coast.
Petrol Pricing in South Africa
The two grades of petrol used in South Africa are Petrol 93 and Petrol 95. Petrol 95 is the more widely sold grade at coastal pumps, while Petrol 93 is more common inland on the Highveld.
Drivers in Gauteng, the Free State, North West, Mpumalanga and Limpopo pay slightly more per litre than coastal motorists due to the zone differential, which reflects the transport cost from the coast to inland depots.
Diesel Pricing in South Africa
Diesel pricing differs from petrol because diesel is not regulated at the retail level. The DMRE publishes a wholesale list price, and individual retailers add their own margin.
Two diesel grades exist in South Africa:
- 50 ppm (low sulphur), the standard grade for most modern diesel engines.
- 500 ppm, used in older vehicles and certain industrial applications.
Logistics operators, farmers and the mining sector watch the diesel adjustment closely because fuel is one of the largest line items in their cost base.
Illuminating Paraffin Pricing
Illuminating paraffin remains the primary cooking and heating fuel in many South African households without consistent electricity supply. The DMRE regulates the wholesale price, and the maximum retail price is gazetted alongside the petrol and diesel adjustment.
A change in the paraffin price has a direct effect on the cost of living for low-income households, particularly during the winter months.
What Drives the Fuel Price Adjustment
Two main factors decide each month’s adjustment:
- The international price of refined petroleum products, expressed in US dollars per barrel.
- The rand-dollar exchange rate over the review period, since South Africa imports nearly all its refined fuel.
Secondary factors include the slate balance, which records the cumulative over-recovery or under-recovery from previous months, and changes to the General Fuel Levy or RAF levy announced in the National Budget.
How to Save Fuel
Drivers can soften the effect of higher pump prices with a few practical steps. Reducing average speed on the highway, keeping tyres inflated to the manufacturer’s pressure, and removing unnecessary weight from the boot all improve fuel consumption.
For more on household running costs, see our guide on how to budget for fuel and electricity. Drivers comparing pump prices across provinces can read our breakdown of coastal vs inland fuel prices in South Africa.
Where to Confirm the Official Fuel Price
The Government Gazette publishes the official maximum retail prices for petrol and the wholesale list prices for diesel and paraffin. The DMRE issues a media statement on the last working day of each month confirming the change for the following month.
Always confirm the June 2026 figures against the DMRE statement or the Government Gazette once they are published.
Final Note on the Fuel Price for June 2026
The June 2026 adjustment will follow the standard monthly review cycle under the current fuel pricing framework. Drivers, transport operators and households should plan ahead based on the gazetted figures once published, rather than on social media estimates.
