2026 is starting with good news for motorists as petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin prices decrease from Wednesday, January 7.

The minister of mineral and petroleum resources (MPR), Gwede Mantashe, announced the adjustment of fuel prices on Sunday (January 5), according to The Citizen.

South Africa’s fuel prices are adjusted monthly, informed by both local and international mechanisms, including that South Africa imports both crude oil and finished products at a globally established price. Important costs, such as shipping and distribution are also considered.

Contributing factors

The MPR said the price adjustments are a result of changes in crude oil prices, international petroleum product prices, and the Rand/US Dollar (USD) exchange rate. Brent crude oil decreased from 63.55 USD to 61.47 USD during the period under review.

Other drivers include the implementation of the slate levy, octane differentials between 95 and 93 fuel grades and the maximum refinery gate price or LPG imported through the Port of Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape.

“The main contributing factor is the oversupply of oil in the market due to increased production by OPEC+ and non-OPEC producers,” the department said.

Fuel Price Adjustment (January 2026): new pricing applies from Wednesday pic.twitter.com/mMMUyYcFO1

— TrafficSA (@TrafficSA) January 5, 2026

The fuel price adjustments for January 2026 are as follows:

• 93 unleaded petrol (ULP) and lead replacement petrol (LRP) decrease by 62c per litre;
• 95 petrol (ULP and LRP) decreases by 66c per litre;
• Diesel decreases by R1.50 per litre;
• Illuminating paraffin decreases by R1.10 per litre;
• The Single Maximum National Retail Price for illuminating paraffin decreases by R1.48 per litre; and
• The Maximum Retail Price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) increases by 21c per litre and 23c per litre in the Western Cape.