South Africa’s transport industry is set to take another financial hit this week after the Department of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (DMPR) confirmed a diesel price increase of up to R1.38 per litre, effective from Wednesday, 5 August 2026.
While truck operators, logistics companies and farmers brace for higher fuel costs, private motorists will receive some welcome relief as both grades of petrol will decrease by 52 cents per litre.
The latest adjustment means the cost of transporting goods across South Africa is expected to rise once again, placing additional pressure on an industry already battling rising operating expenses.
Official Fuel Price Changes Effective 5 August 2026
The Department announced the following adjustments:
| Fuel | Change |
|---|---|
| Petrol 93 | 52 cents decrease per litre |
| Petrol 95 | 52 cents decrease per litre |
| Diesel 0.05% Sulphur (Wholesale) | R1.38 increase per litre |
| Diesel 0.005% Sulphur (Wholesale) | R1.23 increase per litre |
| Illuminating Paraffin (Wholesale) | R1.52 increase per litre |
| LPGAS (Gauteng) | R4.41 decrease per kg |
Heavy Blow for South Africa’s Trucking Industry
Unlike most private vehicles that run on petrol, South Africa’s freight industry depends almost entirely on diesel.
The latest increase is expected to push up operating costs for transport companies, owner-drivers, fleet operators, mining contractors, farmers and bus operators.
Although transport rates do not always increase immediately, sustained diesel price hikes often lead to higher freight charges, with the added costs eventually filtering through to consumers in the form of more expensive groceries, building materials, manufactured goods and other products transported by road.
For many operators already working on tight profit margins, another increase in diesel prices will further squeeze profitability.
Why Diesel Increased While Petrol Dropped
Despite the average Brent crude oil price falling from US$86.53 per barrel to US$82.37 per barrel during the review period, diesel prices climbed because of international supply shortages.
According to the Department, diesel prices were driven higher by:
- Continued supply disruptions linked to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
- Russian diesel export restrictions.
- Middle Eastern refineries operating below normal production capacity.
These factors significantly increased international diesel prices, resulting in a 182.62 cents per litre increase in the Basic Fuel Price calculation for diesel.
Petrol, however, benefited from lower international product prices during the same period, helping keep pump prices down.
Middle East Conflict Caused Fuel Market Volatility
July proved to be another turbulent month for global energy markets.
Oil prices initially declined as crude shipments resumed through the Strait of Hormuz during ceasefire discussions between the United States and Iran.
However, renewed military tensions later in the month temporarily disrupted shipping through one of the world’s busiest oil routes, causing Brent crude prices to spike close to US$100 per barrel before settling around US$83 per barrel.
The sharp swing erased much of the fuel price recovery recorded earlier in the month.
Diesel, which had briefly been showing an over-recovery of nearly R4 per litre, finished the month with an under-recovery of approximately R1.80 per litre.
Petrol Users Saved by Lower Slate Levy
Motorists avoided what could have been another petrol increase thanks largely to a significant reduction in the fuel Slate Levy.
The levy has been reduced by 52.56 cents per litre, falling from 113.94 cents to 61.38 cents per litre.
Without this reduction, petrol prices would likely have remained unchanged or increased despite favourable international petrol prices.
The cumulative slate balance stood at a negative R7.418 billion at the end of June 2026.
Rand Weakens Against the Dollar
The average exchange rate also placed pressure on fuel prices.
During the review period, the rand weakened from R16.34 to R16.46 against the US dollar.
Although the depreciation was relatively modest, it increased the Basic Fuel Price for petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin.
New Inland Fuel Prices
From Wednesday, motorists inland will pay:
| Fuel | July | August |
|---|---|---|
| 93 Petrol | R25.94 | R25.42 |
| 95 Petrol | R26.10 | R25.58 |
| Diesel 0.05% (Wholesale) | R24.78 | R26.17 |
| Diesel 0.005% (Wholesale) | R25.67 | R26.90 |
| Illuminating Paraffin | R17.24 | R18.76 |
| LPGAS | R41.11/kg | R36.70/kg |
New Coastal Fuel Prices
| Fuel | July | August |
|---|---|---|
| 93 Petrol | R25.15 | R24.63 |
| 95 Petrol | R25.23 | R24.71 |
| Diesel 0.05% (Wholesale) | R23.91 | R25.30 |
| Diesel 0.005% (Wholesale) | R24.41 | R25.64 |
| Illuminating Paraffin | R16.19 | R17.70 |
| LPGAS | R37.86/kg | R33.44/kg |
LPGAS in Saldanha will decrease from R40.84/kg to R35.81/kg.
What It Means for Road Freight
For the trucking industry, fuel remains one of the largest operating expenses after vehicle finance and salaries.
The latest diesel increase comes at a time when many transport operators continue to deal with rising maintenance costs, tyre prices, insurance premiums and toll fees.
With diesel becoming more expensive once again, transport companies may be forced to review their operating budgets or adjust freight tariffs to remain sustainable.
While motorists can look forward to paying less at the petrol pumps from Wednesday, South Africa’s transport sector faces another costly month as diesel prices continue to climb, reinforcing the critical role fuel costs play in keeping the country’s economy moving.
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