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South African Fuel Prices Adjusted for August 2025
Pretoria, South Africa – July 29, 2025 – South African motorists will experience mixed changes at the pumps in August 2025, with petrol prices decreasing while diesel and paraffin costs are set to rise. the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) announced the adjustments today, citing international oil price fluctuations and currency movements as key contributing factors.
Key Price Changes (Effective August 6, 2025):
- Petrol 93 (ULP & LRP): Decrease of 28 cents per litre.
- Petrol 95 (ULP & LRP): Decrease of 28 cents per litre.
- Diesel 0.05% sulphur: Increase of 65 cents per litre.
- Diesel 0.005% sulphur: increase of 63 cents per litre.
- Illuminating paraffin (wholesale): Increase of 32 cents per litre.
- Single Maximum National Retail Price (SMNRP) for Illuminating Paraffin (IP): Increase of 43 cents per litre.
- Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPGas): Decrease of 69 cents per kilogram nationally.
- LPGas (Western Cape – port of Saldanha Bay): Decrease of 78 cents per kilogram.
Factors Influencing Price Adjustments:
The DMRE detailed several factors impacting the fuel price changes. Globally, the prices of both Propane and Butane experienced a decline during the review period. however, this was partially offset by a slight appreciation of the Rand against the US Dollar, moving from 17.84 to 17.76 rand per USD. This Rand strength contributed to a reduction of 4.00 to 5.00 cents per litre across all fuel types.
Slate levy and LPGas Pricing:
The cumulative slate balance, representing the difference between actual costs and regulated prices, stood at a positive R3.707 billion for petrol and diesel at the end of June 2025. Consequently, the slate levy remains at zero cents per litre for both petrol and diesel. Regarding LPGas imported through the Port of Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape, the Maximum Refinery Gate Price has been set at R14 633.10, with a Maximum Retail Price of R35.30 per kilogram.
Regional Price Schedules:
The DMRE confirmed that detailed fuel price schedules for different zones across South Africa will be published on Tuesday, August 5, 2025. These schedules will provide specific pricing for each region, accounting for transportation costs and other localized factors.
Contact Information:
For media inquiries, please contact:
- mediadesk@dmre.gov.za
- Yolanda Mhlathi (yolanda.mhlathi@dmre.gov.za, 067 258 1122)
- Johannes Mokobane (johannes.mokobane@dmre.gov.za, 082 766 3674)
- Lerato Ntsoko (lerato.ntsoko@dmre.gov.za, 082 459 2788)
Background: South Africa’s Fuel Pricing Mechanism
South Africa’s fuel prices are adjusted monthly, based on a complex formula that considers international oil prices (specifically Brent Crude), the Rand/US Dollar exchange rate, and various levies and taxes.The Basic Fuel Price (BFP) is calculated based on the average international spot prices of crude oil, and is then adjusted for factors such as freight costs, insurance, and customs duties. The slate levy,designed to manage the cumulative difference between the BFP and the actual cost of fuel,is adjusted periodically to ensure financial stability within the fuel supply chain.The SMNRP for paraffin aims to protect vulnerable households by regulating the retail price of this essential fuel source. The pricing of LPGas, particularly that imported through Saldanha Bay, is subject