South Africa Fuel Price Adjustments November 2026: Petrol, Diesel Down, LPGas Price Set

• South Africa's fuel prices, effective November 4, 2026, include a 1 cent per litre decrease for petrol and a 109.82 cents per litre decrease for diesel.
• International Brent Crude oil prices rose from $101 to $108 USD, influenced by Middle East conflict and increased shipping costs.
• The Rand depreciated against the US Dollar, moving from 16.21 to 16.55 Rand per USD, contributing to higher Basic Fuel Prices.
• The slate levy increased by 48.18 cents per litre to 135.84 cents per litre due to a R15.876 billion negative balance.
• A temporary general fuel levy reduction of R1.50 per litre for petrol and R3.00 per litre for diesel was implemented to ease pressure on consumers and businesses.

Lawyers advising businesses in logistics, transport, or any sector with significant fuel consumption should note these changes, as they directly impact operational costs.

The Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources has announced the latest fuel price adjustments for South Africa, effective from November 4, 2026. This round of changes sees a decrease in the price of both petrol and diesel, while the cost of LPGas has been set. Specifically, both grades of petrol, ULP 93 and ULP 95, will experience a modest reduction of one cent per litre. Diesel prices, for both 0.05% and 0.005% sulphur variants, will see a more significant decrease of 109.82 cents per litre.

The Maximum Refinery Gate Price (MRGP) for LPGas imported via the Port of Saldanha Bay has been established at R17,100.49 per metric ton. Concurrently, the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) for LPGas will be R39.16 per kilogram. These adjustments reflect a complex interplay of international market dynamics and domestic policy interventions, which are reviewed monthly to determine the final prices consumers pay at the pump.

Several international and local factors contributed to the November 2026 fuel price adjustments. A notable international influence was the increase in the average Brent Crude oil price, which rose from 101 US Dollars to 108 US Dollars during the review period. This surge was primarily attributed to geopolitical uncertainties stemming from the Middle East conflict, including recent attacks on Saudi Arabian infrastructure, alongside elevated freight and insurance costs associated with ship-to-ship transfers.

International prices for refined petroleum products, including petrol, diesel, and illuminating paraffin, also saw an increase. This was driven by a tight global supply, heightened seasonal demand in the Northern Hemisphere ahead of winter, and the ongoing Russia/Ukraine conflict. These factors led to substantial increases in the Basic Fuel Price (BFP) contributions: 80.41 cents per litre for petrol, 94.22 cents per litre for diesel, and 225.23 cents per litre for illuminating paraffin. Additionally, the prices of Propane and Butane also experienced an upward trend. Domestically, the Rand depreciated against the US Dollar, moving from an average of 16.21 to 16.55 Rand per USD, further contributing to higher BFP costs by 36.93 c/l for petrol, 49.00 c/l for diesel, and 49.26 c/l for illuminating paraffin.

In response to the cumulative negative balance of the slate, which reached R15.876 billion for petrol and diesel by the end of September 2026, the slate levy has been increased. Effective November 4, 2026, the slate levy will be 135.84 cents per litre, marking an increase of 48.18 cents per litre from its previous rate of 87.66 cents per litre.

Despite these upward pressures, a significant short-term relief measure was introduced. The Minister of Finance, during the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement on October 21, 2026, announced a temporary reduction in the general fuel levy. The general fuel levy will be temporarily reduced by R1.50 per litre for petrol and R3.00 per litre for diesel from November 4, 2026, until December 1, 2026. From December 2, 2026, until January 5, 2027, the reduction will be R1.00 per litre for petrol and R1.50 per litre for diesel. These reductions result in new levy rates of 279.0 cents per litre for petrol and 116.00 cents per litre for diesel during the initial period. This measure aims to alleviate the burden of rising fuel prices on households and businesses.

The South Africa fuel price adjustments for November 2026, particularly the diesel petrol price decrease ZA, present a complex scenario for businesses. While the overall decrease in petrol and diesel prices offers some relief, the simultaneous increase in the slate levy and the temporary nature of the general fuel levy reduction necessitate careful financial planning. Lawyers advising businesses in logistics, transport, or any sector with significant fuel consumption should note these changes, as they directly impact operational costs.

The temporary fuel levy reduction, while beneficial in the short term, means that businesses cannot rely on these lower rates indefinitely. This situation may necessitate contract reviews or budget adjustments to account for potential future increases once the temporary relief expires. The increased slate levy in South Africa further underscores the volatility in fuel pricing, requiring companies to maintain agile financial strategies to navigate these fluctuating costs effectively.

Lawyers advising businesses in logistics, transport, or any sector with significant fuel consumption should note the temporary fuel levy reduction and increased slate levy for November 2026, which impacts operational costs and may necessitate contract reviews or budget adjustments.

Source: Original reporting via the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources