Households that rely on paraffin for cooking, heating, and lighting are set to receive significant relief this winter following the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources’ latest fuel price adjustments.

The department announced that the wholesale price of illuminating paraffin will decrease by 596 cents per litre (R5.96/l) from Wednesday, 3 June 2026. The Single Maximum National Retail Price (SMNRP) for illuminating paraffin will decrease even further by 795 cents per litre (R7.95/l).

The reduction comes as international prices for middle distillates, including diesel and paraffin, declined during the review period due to lower seasonal demand in the Northern Hemisphere. The strengthening of the Rand against the US Dollar also contributed to the lower price.

The decrease is expected to provide welcome relief to many low-income households, particularly in rural and township communities where paraffin remains an important source of energy during the colder winter months.

While paraffin users will benefit from the substantial price reduction, motorists will face higher fuel costs, with both grades of petrol increasing by 143 cents per litre from 3 June 2026.

The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources said the fuel price adjustments are influenced by a combination of international oil prices, petroleum product prices, and fluctuations in the Rand/US Dollar exchange rate.

-The VIP Team 

-DMPR