Mid-month data on fuel price recoveries show that it will be a close call for motorists in March, with petrol prices sitting on the cusp of an over- and under-recovery\u2014and it could go either way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After two consecutive months of fuel price cuts in January and February, March is lining up to be the first month of 2026 with recoveries in the red.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mid-month data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) shows that both petrol and diesel price recoveries are negative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Petrol prices are showing an underrecovery of a couple of cents per litre, while diesel’s underrecovery is much steeper at about 46 cents per litre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With the rand and global oil prices relatively stable, if these conditions continue through to the end of the month, drivers will be slightly worse off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, if oil prices are driven lower\u2014or the rand strengthens further\u2014then at least petrol users could be saving a few cents per litre come March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These are the projected levels at mid-month:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The CEF does not provide daily snapshot data for LP Gas, so it is not currently possible to provide an expected price for December.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The daily snapshots from the CEF are also not entirely predictive of the final fuel price adjustments, and the numbers may change by the end of the month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Department of Petroleum and Mineral Resources only announces the final price a few days before the implementation date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Mid-month-Feb-2026-Petrol-and-diesel.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n