Motorists Warned of Petrol Price Hike Coming in October
With just two weeks to go before the new fuel prices are set for October, South Africans have been cautioned to prepare for a petrol price increase.
This follows the latest figures from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) for the second week of September 2025, It show petrol price recoveries remain in negative territory.
Petrol Prices Under Pressure
The CEF’s mid-month data points to an increase of between 13 and 21 cents per litre for petrol. Specifically:
- Petrol 93: Up by 11 cents per litre
- Petrol 95: Up by 19 cents per litre
In contrast, wholesale diesel prices of 0.05% and 0.005% are projected to decrease by 9 cents per litre. Illuminating paraffin is also expected to fall by 12 cents per litre.
The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) will confirm the official adjustments at the end of the month.
Oil Prices Driving the Trend
International oil prices remain the main factor influencing local fuel costs. Since early August, crude oil has fluctuated between $62 and $67 a barrel, leading to an under-recovery on petrol.
Although oil prices are still below the $70 mark seen at the beginning of the year, recent geopolitical developments have pushed prices upward. According to Bloomberg, U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat of sanctions on countries continuing to import Russian oil. This is along with new 50% import tariffs on Indian goods, has added further strain.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil facilities – including a major refinery in Leningrad and the Primorsk export terminal – have heightened fears of global supply disruptions.
Rand Shows Strength
On the currency front, the rand has strengthened to R17.35/$, improving from R17.57 at the start of September. The stronger rand has partly cushioned the blow from rising oil prices, thanks to weakness in the U.S. dollar amid expectations of aggressive interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve.
Impact on Consumers
For motorists, the expected petrol hike will put pressure on household budgets, while diesel users may see slight relief.
At the same time, broader economic factors are also in play. Statistics South Africa is set to release the August inflation rate on Wednesday, followed by the South African Reserve Bank’s repo rate decision on Thursday. Economists anticipate inflation to remain steady at 3.5%, slightly above the SARB’s preferred 3%.
