South Africa’s June 2026 fuel price adjustment takes effect on Wednesday 3 June 2026 with petrol rising by R1.43 per litre and diesel dropping by up to R3.25 per litre. Image: (IANS)
South Africa’s June 2026 fuel price adjustment takes effect on Wednesday 3 June 2026. Petrol prices rise by R1.43 per litre across both 93 and 95 grades. However, diesel users receive significant relief. This June 2026 fuel price change creates sharply different outcomes for petrol and diesel motorists.
June 2026 Fuel Price Changes at a Glance
The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources confirmed the following adjustments effective from Wednesday 3 June 2026:
- Petrol 93 and 95 (ULP and LRP): R1.43 per litre increase
- Diesel 0.05% sulphur: R3.25 per litre decrease
- Diesel 0.005% sulphur: R2.62 per litre decrease
- Illuminating paraffin (wholesale): R5.96 per litre decrease
The adjustments take effect at midnight on Tuesday 2 June 2026. Furthermore, coastal prices will sit slightly lower than inland prices due to transport and distribution costs.
Why Petrol Prices Are Rising
Two factors are driving the petrol increase. First, global oil prices have risen. The average Brent crude oil price increased from $101 to $104.59 per barrel over the review period. This was largely driven by continued tensions between the United States and Iran. Furthermore, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route, added pressure on supply.
However, the bigger driver of the petrol increase is a tax change. Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe confirmed that the temporary fuel levy relief introduced earlier this year has been partially rolled back. As a result, the general fuel levy for petrol increases from R1.10 per litre to R2.60 per litre from 3 June. Therefore, petrol motorists are paying more despite international prices not rising dramatically.
Why Diesel Prices Are Dropping
Diesel users are getting significant relief this month. International diesel prices fell sharply. This is because seasonal demand in the northern hemisphere dropped as summer arrived. Furthermore, international middle distillate prices decreased by R5.42 per litre during the review period. As a result, the market over-recovery on diesel completely swallowed the tax increase. Consequently, diesel prices drop by up to R3.25 per litre despite the levy rollback.
Warning: July Will Be Worse
South Africans should not celebrate for too long. National Treasury has confirmed that the remaining 50 percent of the temporary fuel levy relief will expire on 1 July 2026. As a result, the general fuel levy for petrol will return to its full baseline rate of R4.10 per litre. Furthermore, diesel will return to R3.93 per litre. Therefore, July is expected to bring significant price increases for both petrol and diesel unless global oil prices drop substantially before then.
What This Means for South Africans
For petrol motorists, June brings more pain at the pump. This comes after a R3.27 per litre increase in May 2026 alone. However, for diesel users including truck drivers, farmers, construction companies and logistics businesses, June brings welcome and substantial relief. As a result, the cost of transporting goods may ease slightly this month. Consequently, some consumer goods prices may face less upward pressure in June than in recent months.
Nevertheless, economists warn that broader transport and consumer pricing pressures remain elevated. This is due to ongoing geopolitical instability and the anticipated full restoration of fuel levies in July.
Read our earlier coverage: 32.7% and Climbing: South Africa’s Unemployment Crisis Demands More Than Statistics.
Editors Note All fuel price figures referenced in this article are based on the official announcement by Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe on 1 June 2026. Prices are effective from Wednesday 3 June 2026. Mzansi Today Live will update this article if any changes are confirmed.