Energy

Here is the official petrol price for March

Staff Writer

 ·2 Mar 2026

The Department of Petroleum and Mineral Resources has published the official fuel price adjustments that will take effect on Wednesday, 4 March 2026.

February saw oil prices trade higher as a result of geopolitical volatility and escalations between the US and Iran in the Middle East, which resulted in the US and Israel launching attacks on the country at the weekend.

This saw oil prices rise from below $60 a barrel to over $80 a barrel during the month, with much of the rise occurring on the last day.

The rise in oil was offset by rand resilience, but not enough to keep fuel price recoveries positive.

Because of this, from Wednesday, petrol users will see prices rise by 20 cents per litre, while diesel drivers will see prices rise by 62 and 65 cents per litre.

The table below outlines the changes:

The average international product prices for Petrol, Diesel and Illuminating Paraffin increased during the period under review.

The rand appreciated against the US Dollar during the period under review, on average, when compared to the previous period.

The average Rand/US Dollar exchange rate for the period 30 January 2026 to 26 February 2026 was 15.9959 compared to 16.3054 during the previous period.

This led to a lower contribution to the Basic Fuel Prices on petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin by 16.959 c/l, 19.200 c/l, 19.207 c/l, respectively.

In line with the provisions of the Self-Adjusting Slate Levy Mechanism, the Slate Levy on petrol and diesel will remain at 0.00 c/l with effect from 4 March 2026.

The maximum refinery gate price will be R11,470.61 per metric ton (636.619 c/l), excluding VAT, for the period 4 March 2026 to 31 March 2026, translating to a 23 cents per kg increase.

However, the MRGP for the LPGas that is imported through the Port Saldanah Bay will be R13,076.49 per metric ton (725.745 c/l), translating to a 26 cents per kg increase.

The prices take effect from Wednesday, 4 March 2026.

This is how the price changes will reflect at the pumps (Diesel prices reflect wholesale, pump prices will differ):