Petrol price relief for South African motorists

The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources has confirmed a third consecutive monthly decrease in fuel prices, effective Wednesday, 7 May 2025.

South African Petroleum Retailers Association (SAPRA) national vice chairperson Lebo Ramolahloane said the reductions offer much-needed relief during a challenging economic period.

Fuel prices will be adjusted as follows from midnight Tuesday, 6 May 2025:

• Petrol 93 – decrease of 22 cents per litre
• Petrol 95 – decrease of 22 cents per litre
• Diesel 0.05% – decrease of 42 cents per litre
• Diesel 0.005% – decrease of 41 cents per litre

Ramolahloane said the decrease in petrol and diesel prices provides immediate relief to South African motorists and businesses. 

“In a fragile economy such as ours, this is a welcome development that could ease inflationary pressures and provide a short-term boost in consumer spending power,” he said.

He said the impact of these decreases will be tangible, using the example of a motorist filling a 50-litre tank of 95 unleaded petrol, who will now save approximately R11 per fill. 

“Diesel users, particularly in logistics and agriculture, stand to benefit from reductions of over R20 per tank,” he said.

Ramolahloane said these lower input costs can support food security and job retention in fuel-intensive sectors such as agriculture, logistics, and public transport.  

“For petroleum retailers, the increased volumes at service stations from consumers responding to lower pump prices are likely to provide a boost in revenue, particularly as retail margins remain stable,” he said.

Ramolahloane explained that part of the reason for these decreases is the recent escalation in trade tensions between the United States and China.

These tensions are influencing the global oil market, as the re-imposition of tariffs by the US has disrupted oil demand, especially from China.

As China is a major Brent crude importer, this led to significantly lower oil demand, which, in turn, resulted in excess supply and drove down prices.

 “While we welcome the current decline in prices, we must remain cautiously optimistic,” Ramolahloane said.

“Global market volatility and local political uncertainty under the newly formed Government of National Unity require close monitoring.”