Mid-month data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) indicate that petrol and diesel users in South Africa are anticipating a significant price cut in February 2026. The data shows that both the rand-dollar exchange rate and the movement in global product prices, driven by global oil, are working in favour of motorists. The stronger rand in the new year has kept fuel recoveries positive, while oil prices have dropped significantly, bringing petrol prices into the positive as well.
Petrol prices are now consistently showing a positive recovery of between 77 and 82 cents per litre. Diesel prices, meanwhile, have just continued to shine, now showing an over-recovery of between 92 cents and R1,02 per litre for next month. These are the projected levels at mid-month:• Petrol 93: decrease of 78 cents per litre,• Petrol 95: decrease of 82 cents per litre,• Diesel 0,05% (wholesale): decrease of 93 cents per litre,• Diesel 0,005% (wholesale): decrease of 102 cents per litre,• Illuminating paraffin: decrease of 81 cents per litre.
The CEF does not present daily snapshot data for LP Gas, so it is not currently possible to give the expected price for December. The daily snapshots from the CEF are also not entirely predictive of the final fuel price adjustments, and the numbers may change by the end of the month. The Department of Petroleum and Mineral Resources only announces the final price a few days before the implementation date.
Read Full Article on The Witness
[paywall]
However, the data does give a strong indication of where prices are headed and reflects the current market trends for the first half of the month. Rand dollar exchangeThe rand has remained on the front foot in 2026, trading stronger against the dollar at around R16,37/$ In the U.S., initial jobless claims unexpectedly declined in the week ended January 9, 2026, while both the New York Empire State manufacturing index and the Philadelphia Fed manufacturing index improved more than anticipated in January
[/paywall]
