Fuel Price Hikes Loom in March and April as Diesel Takes the Hardest Knock

South African motorists are currently enjoying fuel prices at their lowest levels in four years, but that relief may be short-lived as increases are expected in March, with further pressure likely in April.

Month-end data from the Central Energy Fund points to petrol price hikes of around 21 cents per litre for 95 Unleaded and 18 cents for 93 Unleaded. Diesel is expected to climb more sharply, with increases of about 62 cents per litre for 500ppm and 65 cents for 50ppm.

If these projections materialise, the price of 95 Unleaded will rise to approximately R19.48 per litre at the coast and R20.31 inland in Gauteng. The inland price of 93 Unleaded is expected to reach around R20.17 per litre. Meanwhile, the wholesale price of 50ppm diesel could increase to about R17.84 at the coast and R19.17 inland.

The adjustments are set to take effect on Wednesday, 4 March, although the figures are based on unaudited data. Final prices will be confirmed by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources.

The anticipated March increases are largely attributed to higher international product prices recorded during February. A stronger rand has helped cushion the impact, limiting what could have been increases of roughly 35 cents per litre for petrol and close to 80 cents for diesel.

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Further pressure expected in April

Looking ahead, April may bring additional strain at the pumps. Rising global oil prices, partly linked to ongoing conflict in the Middle East, are already exerting upward pressure.

In addition, the 2026 Budget Speech delivered by Enoch Godongwana confirmed increases to fuel-related taxes. The General Fuel Levy will rise by 9 cents per litre for petrol and 8 cents for diesel. The carbon fuel levy will increase by 5 cents for petrol and 6 cents for diesel, while the Road Accident Fund levy will go up by a further 7 cents.

In total, motorists are facing an additional 21 cents per litre across both fuel types from 1 April. Once implemented, the RAF levy will amount to R2.25 per litre, while the General Fuel Levy on petrol will increase to R4.10 per litre.

Bobby Ramagwede, CEO of the Automobile Association, cautioned that inflation-linked increases across the board would place further pressure on households already battling rising living costs.

He noted that while inflationary adjustments may be justifiable in principle, simply directing more funding to the RAF does little to resolve the entity’s long-standing inefficiencies.