You may want to hoard as much petrol or diesel as your vehicle can muster before the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) officially adjusts South Africa’s petrol and diesel prices next week. The Central Energy Fund (CEF) has provided another batch of predictions (captured 26 February) that all but confirm a major fuel price hike was headed our way in March 2026.
Not looking good for petrol…
It’s worth noting that the CEF’s figures (see below) are not final and may change. The CEF, in conjunction with the DMRE, tracks the economic factors that influence fuel prices. It gathers this data and compiles it into a daily predictive snapshot to help Saffas plan their fuel-spending habits accordingly.
The DMRE typically adjusts the pumps on the first Wednesday of a new month. Wednesday, 4 March 2026, in this case. While you might believe that enough time for things to turn around for the better, it’s highly unlikely. The DMRE tends to decide on the final prices on the last Friday of any month. That means today, folks.
The biggest factors driving the monthly fuel price adjustments are the average Rand/US Dollar exchange rate, as well as the average price of oil products internationally. While the Rand has strengthened over the past couple of weeks — currently trading at R15.92 — it’s the rising oil prices that are to blame for the pending price hike.
Here are the petrol and diesel price predictions (so far) for March 2026:
- Petrol 93: increase of 18 cents per litre (R0.18)
- Petrol 95: increase of 21 cents per litre (R0.21)
- Diesel 0.05%: increase of 62 cents per litre (R0.62)
- Diesel 0.005%: increase of 65 cents per litre (R0.65)
- Illuminating Paraffin: increase of 45 cents per litre (R0.45)
