{"id":858596,"date":"2026-04-28T16:04:41","date_gmt":"2026-04-28T14:04:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=858596"},"modified":"2026-04-29T09:21:23","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T07:21:23","slug":"r2-per-litre-pain-on-the-cards-for-south-africa-next-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/energy\/858596\/r2-per-litre-pain-on-the-cards-for-south-africa-next-week\/","title":{"rendered":"Petrol price pain for South Africa still on the cards next week"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>As South Africa heads to the end of the month, fuel prices are showing steep under-recoveries, with petrol users on the line for a R2 per litre hike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The latest data from the Central Energy Fund, showing month-end projections, points to an under-recovery of between R1.77 and R2.09 per litre for petrol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Diesel is showing a steeper under-recovery of around R5.42 per litre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These month-end projections are a far stretch from the severe under-recoveries at the start of the period, where hikes were seen as high as R8 per litre and R17 per litre for petrol and diesel, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, even with the sharp turn in recoveries throughout the month, motorists are still ending up with a negative balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The review period for price changes ends on Thursday (30 April). This means the price hike is all but cemented for when the changes take effect next Wednesday, 6 May 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These are the projected levels for next week:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Petrol 93:<\/strong> <mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">increase<\/mark> of R1.77 per litre<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Petrol 95:<\/strong> <mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">increase<\/mark> of R2.09 per litre<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Diesel 0.05% (wholesale): <\/strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">increase<\/mark> of R5.42 per litre<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Diesel 0.005% (wholesale):<\/strong> <mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">increase <\/mark>of R5.43 per litre<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Illuminating paraffin: <\/strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">increase<\/mark> of R4.60 per litre<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The CEF does not provide daily snapshot data for LP Gas, so it is not currently possible to provide an expected price for the coming month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A small consolation in the data is that, even with a R2 per litre increase, petrol prices will not reach their highest point on record.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The highest Petrol 95 has ever reached was R26.74 per litre in July 2022. At the current projection, pricing would be at R25.45 per litre in May.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Petrol 95 <a href=\"https:\/\/topauto.co.za\/fuel-price-predictor\/\">daily projections<\/a> (for May 2026)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Petrol-95-projected-fuel-price-chart-2026-04-27.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"787\" height=\"472\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Petrol-95-projected-fuel-price-chart-2026-04-27.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-858597\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Petrol-95-projected-fuel-price-chart-2026-04-27.png 787w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Petrol-95-projected-fuel-price-chart-2026-04-27-300x180.png 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Petrol-95-projected-fuel-price-chart-2026-04-27-768x461.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 787px) 100vw, 787px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The previous record for the per-litre wholesale diesel price was R25.53 in July 2022. This was surpassed in April, where prices hit R26.11 per litre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> At the current trajectory, a R5.40+ price hike would push prices past the R30 per litre mark to hit around R31.50.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even with the newly announced further relief for diesel, the price is projected to sit above R30 at around R30.61.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Diesel (0.005%) wholesale <a href=\"https:\/\/topauto.co.za\/fuel-price-predictor\/\">daily projections<\/a> (for May 2026)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Diesel-0005-projected-fuel-price-chart-2026-04-27.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"787\" height=\"472\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Diesel-0005-projected-fuel-price-chart-2026-04-27.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-858598\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Diesel-0005-projected-fuel-price-chart-2026-04-27.png 787w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Diesel-0005-projected-fuel-price-chart-2026-04-27-300x180.png 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Diesel-0005-projected-fuel-price-chart-2026-04-27-768x461.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 787px) 100vw, 787px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Uncertainty ahead<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The consolation for petrol users comes with at least two major caveats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The May projection doesn&#8217;t account for any changes to the slate levy, which could further raise prices next month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The slate levy is a self-adjusting mechanism that manages the deficit or surplus in the fuel price account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It acts as a temporary buffer to compensate oil companies when international fuel prices increase faster than domestic pump prices, with the levy added to fuel costs when the account goes into a deficit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With the sharp fluctuations in global oil prices in March and April, the mechanism is likely to kick in for May.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another caveat for the data is that recoveries may continue to show increases for the months ahead, with current oil prices pushing above $110 a barrel once again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Department of Petroleum and Mineral Resources and Treasury have announced that the R3.00 per litre relief offered in April will be extended for another month to May.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, the fuel levy for diesel will be cut completely, extending the relief to R3.93 per litre for the month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, these levies will be re-added over two months\u2014half in June and in full for the price adjustment in July. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This means motorists can expect a R1.50 and R1.97 baseline increase for petrol and diesel in June, and a R1.50 and R1.96 baseline increase in July.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Treasury noted that the cost of the relief for April was R6 billion, and the projected cost for May is R11.2 billion, taking the total to R17.2 billion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The relief measure was designed to be fiscally neutral, and the government will implement mechanisms to recoup the foregone revenue within the fiscal framework approved during the 2026 Budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The table below outlines how the changes will impact fuel price adjustments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Petrol prices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><div class=\"table-responsive\"><table class=\"table\" class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Month<\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Fuel levy<\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Price Relief<\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Impact on price adjustment<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>April 2026<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">R1.10<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">-R3.00<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">-R3.00<\/mark><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>May 2026<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">R1.10<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">-R3.00<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">R0.00<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>June 2026<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">R2.60<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">-R1.50<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">+R1.50<\/mark><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>July 2026<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">R4.10<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">R0.00<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">+R1.50<\/mark><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Diesel prices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><div class=\"table-responsive\"><table class=\"table\" class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Month<\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Petrol fuel levy<\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Price Relief<\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Impact on price adjustment<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>April 2026<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">R0.93<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">-R3.00<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">-R3.00<\/mark><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>May 2026<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">R0.00<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">-R3.93<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">-R0.93<\/mark><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>June 2026<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">R1.97<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">-R1.96<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">+R1.97<\/mark><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>July 2026<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">R3.93<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">R0.00<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">+R1.96<\/mark><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em>(Update: this article has been updated to reflect the extension of the fuel price relief to June 2026)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As South Africa heads to the end of the month, fuel prices are showing steep under-recoveries, with petrol users on the line for a R2 per litre hike.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":855830,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9874],"tags":[19909,17448,3796,2171,25294],"class_list":["post-858596","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-energy","tag-diesel-price","tag-enoch-godongwana","tag-national-treasury","tag-petrol-price","tag-slate-levy"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/858596","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=858596"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/858596\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":858694,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/858596\/revisions\/858694"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/855830"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=858596"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=858596"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=858596"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}