Official petrol price decreases for January announced

The new year is off to a great start thanks to a considerable reduction in the price of both petrol and diesel.

The Department of Petroleum and Mineral Resources has published the official fuel price adjustments that will take effect on Wednesday, 7 January 2026.

The lower prices are primarily due to the rand’s stronger position at the end of 2025, resulting in an improved over-recovery for fuel prices.

At the same time, oil prices traded over a wider range of between $58 and $63 per barrel over the December holiday period with international prices ultimately decreasing during the period under review.

The rand appreciated against the US dollar between 4 December 2025 and 1 January 2026, trading at R16.84 per dollar compared to R17.23 per dollar over the previous period.

This led to a lower contribution to the Basic Fuel Price of petrol, diesel, and illuminating paraffin.

Petrol costs decreased by 20.798c/l while diesel was reduced by 22.116c/l.

Importantly, the differential between the 93 and 95 octanes of petrol will be adjusted on the first Wednesday of this quarter, in line with the Working Rules of the Basic Fuel Price.

The octane differential was changed during the previous quarter, which means the retail prices of petrol 93 and petrol 95 will vary in each fuel-pricing zone, starting this week.

What you’re paying this January

The new fuel price adjustments will take effect later this week on Wednesday, 7 January 2026.

Petrol users will experience a decrease of between 62c and 66c per litre, while diesel users will benefit from a substantial reduction of between 137c and 150c per litre.

These are the official adjustments:

• Petrol 93 – Decrease of 62c per litre
• Petrol 95 – Decrease of 66c per litre
• Diesel 0.05% (wholesale) – Decrease of 137c per litre
• Diesel 0.005% (wholesale) – Decrease of 150c per litre

The table below indicates how the official fuel price adjustments for January will reflect at the pump: