Good news about diesel prices in South Africa

The price of diesel is likely to receive a significant reduction this June, though petrol users won’t be as lucky.

This is according to the latest Central Energy Fund (CEF), which shows a remarkable improvement in the price of diesel.

Diesel is now set for an over-recovery of between R3.87 per litre and R4.71 per litre.

However, petrol is currently showing an under-recovery of between 13c and 20c per litre.

News / 21 May 2026 / Michael Taylor
 

Good news about diesel prices in South Africa

The price of diesel is likely to receive a significant reduction this June, though petrol users won’t be as lucky.

This is according to the latest Central Energy Fund (CEF), which shows a remarkable improvement in the price of diesel.

Diesel is now set for an over-recovery of between R3.87 per litre and R4.71 per litre.

However, petrol is currently showing an under-recovery of between 13c and 20c per litre.

These are the CEF’s fuel price adjustment predictions for the third week of May:

• Petrol 93 – increase of 13 cents per litre
• Petrol 95 – increase of 20 cents per litre
• Diesel 0.05% (wholesale) – decrease of R4.71 per litre
• Diesel 0.005% (wholesale) – decrease of R3.87 per litre

Even though petrol is still expected to go up next month, both fuel types are in a much better position than they were at the start of May.

Petrol was previously set to increase by 88c per litre, while diesel would see a much smaller reduction of R2.49 per litre.

The positive turn in fuel prices can be partially traced to the rand, which has maintained its value during the period under review, trading around R16.52/US dollar.

News / 21 May 2026 / Michael Taylor
 

Good news about diesel prices in South Africa

The price of diesel is likely to receive a significant reduction this June, though petrol users won’t be as lucky.

This is according to the latest Central Energy Fund (CEF), which shows a remarkable improvement in the price of diesel.

Diesel is now set for an over-recovery of between R3.87 per litre and R4.71 per litre.

However, petrol is currently showing an under-recovery of between 13c and 20c per litre.

These are the CEF’s fuel price adjustment predictions for the third week of May:

• Petrol 93 – increase of 13 cents per litre
• Petrol 95 – increase of 20 cents per litre
• Diesel 0.05% (wholesale) – decrease of R4.71 per litre
• Diesel 0.005% (wholesale) – decrease of R3.87 per litre

Even though petrol is still expected to go up next month, both fuel types are in a much better position than they were at the start of May.

Petrol was previously set to increase by 88c per litre, while diesel would see a much smaller reduction of R2.49 per litre.

The positive turn in fuel prices can be partially traced to the rand, which has maintained its value during the period under review, trading around R16.52/US dollar.

However, the global market remains cautious amid ongoing peace talks between the United States and Iran.

The Strait of Hormuz is still closed, and Brent Crude oil is currently trading at $101 per barrel.

While prices remain high, the situation has improved since April, when oil shot up to almost $120 per barrel.

Fuel taxes to undermine fuel-savings

While the price of diesel is projected to come down in June, motorists will not be able to enjoy the full savings due to the reintroduction of the General Fuel Levy (GFL).

News / 21 May 2026 / Michael Taylor
 

Good news about diesel prices in South Africa

The price of diesel is likely to receive a significant reduction this June, though petrol users won’t be as lucky.

This is according to the latest Central Energy Fund (CEF), which shows a remarkable improvement in the price of diesel.

Diesel is now set for an over-recovery of between R3.87 per litre and R4.71 per litre.

However, petrol is currently showing an under-recovery of between 13c and 20c per litre.

These are the CEF’s fuel price adjustment predictions for the third week of May:

• Petrol 93 – increase of 13 cents per litre
• Petrol 95 – increase of 20 cents per litre
• Diesel 0.05% (wholesale) – decrease of R4.71 per litre
• Diesel 0.005% (wholesale) – decrease of R3.87 per litre

Even though petrol is still expected to go up next month, both fuel types are in a much better position than they were at the start of May.

Petrol was previously set to increase by 88c per litre, while diesel would see a much smaller reduction of R2.49 per litre.

The positive turn in fuel prices can be partially traced to the rand, which has maintained its value during the period under review, trading around R16.52/US dollar.

However, the global market remains cautious amid ongoing peace talks between the United States and Iran.

The Strait of Hormuz is still closed, and Brent Crude oil is currently trading at $101 per barrel.

While prices remain high, the situation has improved since April, when oil shot up to almost $120 per barrel.

Fuel taxes to undermine fuel-savings

While the price of diesel is projected to come down in June, motorists will not be able to enjoy the full savings due to the reintroduction of the General Fuel Levy (GFL).

The GFL, which is a tax on every litre of fuel sold in South Africa, was reduced by R3 in April 2026 as a temporary relief measure for consumers.

The reduction was extended to May, and diesel even benefitted from a larger reduction of R3.93 per litre.

However, the Treasury stated that, starting in June, 50% of the GFL will be added back to fuel prices.

This means that R1.50 and R1.97 will be added to the prices of petrol and diesel, respectively, next month.

The other 50% of the GFL will be re-added in July.

Unfortunately, this means petrol prices will increase by considerably more than 13c per litre, while diesel users will see a smaller-than-expected reduction.

The following table shows how fuel prices will be affected in June once the General Fuel Levy is factored in:

Petrol 93 daily projection for June 2026

Petrol 95 daily projection for June 2026

Diesel 0.05% daily projection for June 2026

Diesel 0.005% daily projection for June 2026