Petrol motorists will enjoy some relief at the pumps this month, with the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) announcing a price drop for August 2025. However, diesel and paraffin users face an increase in costs.
The adjustments, effective Wednesday, 6 August, are as follows:
Petrol 93 (ULP & LRP): ↓ 28c per litre
Petrol 95 (ULP & LRP): ↓ 28c per litre
Diesel (0.05% sulphur): ↑ 65c per litre
Diesel (0.005% sulphur): ↑ 63c per litre
Illuminating Paraffin (wholesale): ↑ 32c per litre
Single Maximum National Retail Price for Paraffin: ↑ 43c per litre
LPGas: ↓ 69c per kg nationally, ↓ 78c per kg in the Western Cape
According to the DMPR, the drop in petrol prices follows a slight decline in Brent crude oil prices during the review period, from $69.36 to $69.06. This was largely due to increased production by OPEC and uncertainty surrounding new US trade tariffs, which may slow global economic growth and reduce crude demand.
While petrol benefited from these trends, diesel and paraffin prices climbed due to low US stock levels, unplanned refinery shutdowns, and refinery closures in the EU, tightening global supply. As a result, the Basic Fuel Price (BFP) for petrol fell by 23.49c per litre, while diesel and paraffin BFPs rose by 69.94c and 35.57c per litre respectively. Prices of propane and butane also declined during this period.
The rand also strengthened slightly against the US dollar, moving from R17.84 to R17.76, which shaved 4–5c off the BFP for all products.
