South Africa’s road freight sector has welcomed the September fuel price adjustment, which kicks in from Wednesday, 3 September 2025, with diesel seeing the biggest cut.
The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) confirmed the following price changes:
- Diesel 0.05% (wholesale): down 56c/l
- Diesel 0.005% (wholesale): down 57c/l
- Illuminating paraffin: down 49c/l
- Petrol 93: down 4c/l
- Petrol 95: down 4c/l
The Road Freight Association (RFA), in a media statement issued today, said the decrease provides “much-needed respite” for transporters who have been battling sky-high operating costs.
“For the road freight industry, where diesel is the primary energy source and often constitutes a significant portion of operational costs, the substantial decrease in wholesale prices is particularly welcome,” said Kevin van der Merwe, Acting CEO of the RFA.
The association stressed that trucking is the backbone of South Africa’s economy, carrying about 85% of all goods moved in the country. With margins already under strain, high diesel prices in recent months have threatened the sustainability of both large fleets and small owner-operators.
While the latest decrease offers welcome breathing room, the RFA warned that challenges remain. Exchange rate swings and global geopolitical tensions could quickly undo gains. Still, the association is hopeful that a period of stable or declining prices will give operators a chance to recover from earlier fuel shocks — and, where possible, pass savings on to customers and consumers.
For truckers on the ground, this cut is more than just numbers on a board. A drop of 56–57 cents per litre translates into thousands of rand saved on long-haul runs, especially on busy corridors like Durban–Joburg.
For now, the industry can at least shift a gear down on fuel stress — even if the road ahead still has its bumps.
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