By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Department of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (DPMR) has published the official fuel price adjustments that will take effect on Wednesday, 7 January 2026.
Unleaded 93 petrol will be lowered by 62c per litre, while unleaded 95 will be reduced by 66c to R19.92 on the coast and R20.75 in Gauteng, the first time it will fall below R21 since early 2022.
The wholesale prices of diesel will fall by between R1.37 and R1.50 a litre, depending on the sulphur content. The wholesale price of diesel will be lowered to around R18.42 in Gauteng and R17.59 on the coast.
December saw oil prices trade in a wider range, fluctuating between $58 and $63 a barrel, while the rand ended the year on a much stronger footing.
This led to a stronger over-recovery in fuel prices for the month, leading to significant price cuts for petrol and diesel in the new year.
In line with the Working Rules to determine the Basic Fuels Prices (BFP), the differential between 95 and 93 octanes is adjusted on the first Wednesday of each quarter.
The BFP Octane differential has changed during the previous quarter; therefore, the retail prices of 95 and 93 petrol octanes will differ in each fuel-pricing zone, effective from January 7, 2026.