October fuel price outlook: Here’s what to expect from next week's petrol and diesel price adjustments
What can you expect from October’s fuel price adjustments? Very little, according to the latest intel from the Central Energy Fund (CEF).
Unaudited month-end data shows an under-recovery of three cents for 95 Unleaded petrol and an identical over-recovery for 93 Unleaded, meaning petrol prices could remain identical next month, or shift by a few cents in either direction, depending on other potential influencing factors such as the Slate Levy.
Diesel is looking set for minor price decreases of 10 cents for 500pm and eight cents for the cleaner 50ppm.
The official fuel price adjustments will be announced early next week, ahead of coming into effect on Wednesday, October 1.
This largely neutral fuel price outlook for October comes as a result of a stronger rand effectively cancelling out moderately inflated international fuel prices.
Internationally, the price of petrol has shifted upwards by 17 cents in the case of 95 Unleaded and 10 cents for 93 Unleaded, while 500ppm and 50ppm diesel has edged upward by four cents and six cents respectively.
However, the stronger rand has added around 14 cents worth of relief to the fuel price equation.
The South African currency has outpaced all expectations in 2025 so far, appreciating to R17.30 on September 25, following a week of significant inflows into the local bond market.
This, and relatively weak international oil prices, have led to stable fuel prices for most of this year, with both petrol and diesel costing around the same that they did earlier this year.
95 Unleaded petrol currently costs R20.76 at the coast and R21.55 in Gauteng, where 93 Unleaded retails at R21.47. The wholesale price of 50ppm diesel is currently listed at R18.71 at the coast and R19.47 in Gauteng.
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