Motorists who welcomed a fuel price decrease at the start of the year are now facing higher costs at the pumps after the latest adjustment to fuel prices.
The Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, announced in a media statement that fuel prices increased from March 4, due to a number of international and local factors affecting the cost of fuel. Fuel prices in South Africa are influenced by global markets because the country imports crude oil and refined petroleum products.
Read more: Motorists to pay less at the pumps as January fuel prices drop
“South Africa’s fuel prices are adjusted monthly, informed by international and local factors,” the statement said, adding that imports are priced at international levels and include costs such as shipping.
One of the main drivers behind the increase is the rise in global crude oil prices. “The average Brent Crude oil price increased from 64.08 US Dollars (USD) to 69.08 USD during the period under review.”
The increase was partly linked to shipping costs and geopolitical uncertainty.
“The main contributing factors are the higher shipping rates as well as the geopolitical uncertainty caused by the tension between the US and Iran, which could result in disruption of crude oil supply in the Strait of Hormuz.”
International petroleum product prices also increased during the period under review, contributing to higher fuel prices locally.
“The average international product prices followed the increasing trend of the crude oil price.”
Meanwhile, the rand strengthened slightly against the US dollar during the same period.
Also read: Fuel prices set to rise in November, motorists advised to adjust budgets
“The Rand appreciated on average, against the US Dollar (from 16.31 to 16.00 Rand per USD) during the period under review when compared to the previous one.” Government also confirmed that the slate levy remains unchanged.
“The cumulative slate amounted to a positive balance of R5.9 billion for petrol and diesel at the end of January 2026. In line with the provisions of the Self-Adjusting Slate Levy Mechanism, the slate levy remains unchanged at zero cents per litre.”
Based on these factors, petrol 93 and 95 both increased by 20 cents per litre. Diesel (0.05% sulphur) increased by 62 cents per litre, while diesel (0.005% sulphur) increased by 65 cents per litre. The wholesale price of illuminating paraffin increased by 44 cents per litre, while the single maximum national retail price increased by 58 cents per litre.
The maximum retail price of LPGas also increased by 23 cents per kilogram and by 26 cents per kilogram in the Western Cape.
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