Brace Yourself, Mzansi: December Fuel Price Hike Will Hit Both Petrol and Diesel

South Africans were hoping to ease into the festive season with light traffic and lighter expenses, but December has other plans. After a year of relatively steady fuel prices, the cost of filling up is climbing again, and this time, diesel drivers will feel it the most.

Month-end data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) suggests that both petrol and diesel are on track for increases on Wednesday, 3 December. While these numbers are still based on unaudited figures, they paint a clear picture of what motorists can expect when they pull up to the pumps next week.

What You’ll Pay From Wednesday

According to the latest CEF data:

Petrol

• 95 Unleaded: ↑ 25c/litre

• 93 Unleaded: ↑ 20c/litre

This means:

• 95 ULP at the coast: ± R20.54/litre

• 95 ULP inland: ± R21.37/litre

• 93 ULP inland: ± R21.17/litre

Diesel

• 500ppm: ↑ 64c/litre

• 50ppm: ↑ 81c/litre

Expected wholesale price:

• 50ppm diesel (coast): ± R19.23/litre

• 50ppm diesel (inland): ± R19.99/litre

The final numbers will be confirmed by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources early next week, but for now, these predictions give drivers a realistic preview of what’s coming.

Why Diesel Is Taking a Bigger Knock

It might seem strange that diesel is rising more sharply than petrol, especially after November brought welcome cuts of 51c for petrol and 21c for diesel. But the global market has its own seasonal logic.

In the northern hemisphere, winter is setting in. And that means a surge in demand for heating oil, which is refined from the same components as diesel. So, as temperatures drop in Europe and North America, prices rise everywhere, including here at home.

Diesel is the workhorse of the South African economy, powering delivery trucks, public transport and construction equipment. When it goes up, transport operators and businesses feel it almost immediately, and those costs often trickle down to consumers.

Global Trends: What’s Driving the Increase?

The December hike is largely tied to higher international product prices, even though the rand for once has been a supportive player. A slightly stronger currency helped shave off about 3c from what could have been an even steeper increase.

Brent Crude oil didn’t behave too wildly in November. It peaked at $65 per barrel on 11 November before settling into the $62–$63 range. The monthly average of $64.14 was enough to push local prices upward, especially when combined with global diesel demand.

Fuel Prices Have Been Stable, But Are We Still Paying More?

While motorists may be groaning at yet another increase, December’s projected petrol price is still slightly cheaper than what we paid at the start of 2025.

• 95 Unleaded today vs January 2025: about 26c cheaper

• 50ppm diesel: about 55c more expensive

So petrol users are still in a better position than they were at the start of the year, while diesel users are slowly absorbing higher costs month after month.

On social media, reactions mirror the classic South African split: petrol drivers posting cautious sighs of relief, and diesel drivers joking about opening GoFundMe links or switching to bicycles for December.

Cost of Living Keeps Rising

The fuel price hike comes at a time when many households are already stretched thin. Grocery prices remain high, transport costs affect everything from delivery fees to food production, and Treasury has been publicly criticised for planning another fuel levy hike in the 2025 Budget.

For now, motorists are encouraged to fill up early if they can or brace themselves for midweek increases that will hit just as festive season travel kicks off.

December in South Africa may come with sunshine and holidays, but this year, it comes with a slightly more expensive tank too.

{Source: IOL}

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