Durban – The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources has officially confirmed the fuel price changes for August 2025 with diesel taking the biggest beating – a direct blow to the heart of South Africa’s transport industry.
From Wednesday, 6 August, petrol users get a small break, with 93 and 95 petrol dropping by 28c/l, while diesel shoots up by 63c to 65c/l, depending on sulphur content.
Official Fuel Price Adjustments:
| Fuel Type | August Change |
|---|---|
| Petrol 93 & 95 | -28c/l |
| Diesel 0.05% | +65c/l |
| Diesel 0.005% | +63c/l |
| Paraffin | +32c/l |
| LPGAS (national) | -69c/kg |
| LPGAS (WC – Saldanha) | -78c/kg |
New Wholesale Diesel Prices:
- Inland (0.005%): R20.04
- Coastal (0.005%): R19.28
Why the Price Hike?
The minister explained that South Africa adjusts fuel prices monthly based on international product prices, crude oil trends, and the rand-dollar exchange rate.
Despite a slight drop in Brent crude oil from $69.36 to $69.06 a barrel, diesel shot up due to:
- Tight global supply, especially in the US and Europe
- Unplanned refinery shutdowns and closures in the EU
- Increased demand leading to higher international diesel prices
- A stronger rand averaging R17.76/$, helping slightly but not enough to offset the diesel shock
The Basic Fuel Price (BFP) for diesel increased by nearly 70c/l, while petrol’s BFP fell by about 23c/l.
Truckers get no relief from the Slate Levy, which remains at 0c/l, thanks to a healthy positive balance of R3.7 billion at the end of June.
While LPGAS sees a drop and petrol softens, diesel-dependent sectors like trucking, farming, and logistics are once again under pressure, especially those already battling high toll fees, tight margins, and port delays.
Another month, another diesel hike. We keep moving – but it’s becoming harder to stay profitable.
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