South Africans will see a decrease in fuel prices from Wednesday, 7 January 2026, which is expected to ease pressure on households and commuters at the start of the New Year. While the reductions are moderate, they follow shifts in global oil supply and product pricing, according to the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources.
The Department confirmed that Petrol 93 (ULP & LRP) will fall by 62 cents per litre, whereas Petrol 95 (ULP & LRP) will decrease by 66 cents.
Consequently, in Gauteng, Petrol 95 will cost R20.75, down from R21.41, while along the coast it will retail at R19.92. Diesel prices are also set to decline, with Diesel (0.05% sulphur) dropping by R1.37 per litre and Diesel (0.005% sulphur) by R1.50.
Additionally, wholesale prices of Illuminating Paraffin will fall by R1.10 and R1.48 per litre, respectively. However, the Maximum Retail Price of LPGas is expected to rise, increasing by 21 cents per kilogram nationally and by 23 cents per kilogram in the Western Cape.
Furthermore, the Department explained that the changes are largely influenced by global crude oil trends.
During the period under review, the average Brent Crude price fell from 63.55 US Dollars (USD) to 61.47 USD.
“The main contributing factor is the oversupply of oil in the market due to increased production by OPEC+ and non-OPEC [Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries] producers,” the Department said.
It added that international product prices of petrol mirrored the declining trend of crude oil.
“The prices of middle distillates, such as diesel and illuminating paraffin, decreased more significantly because of higher inventories for the winter season in the Northern Hemisphere. These factors led to lower contributions to the Basic Fuel Prices of Petrol, Diesel and Illuminating Paraffin by 45.03 c/l, 126.97 c/l and 87.96 c/l, respectively. Meanwhile, the prices of Propane and Butane increased during the period under review due to tighter global supply.”
With some relief in sight, what are your thoughts? Let us know below.
Do not forget to read, NUMSA Slams Government Inaction as ArcelorMittal Plants Remain Mothballed, if you missed it.
FAQs:
Fuel prices will decrease from Wednesday 7 January 2026 according to the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources.
Petrol 93 will drop by 62 cents per litre while Petrol 95 will decrease by 66 cents per litre.
The decrease is mainly due to lower global crude oil prices and increased international oil supply.
No. The maximum retail price of LPG gas is expected to increase slightly despite lower petrol and diesel prices.
