The Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy has announced a major fuel price adjustment, effective from midnight on Thursday, June 4, 2026.
The new prices, which become official on Friday, June 5, 2026, reveal a sharp divergence between rising petrol costs and significant decreases for diesel and illuminating paraffin.
According to the schedule released by government officials, the price of Unleaded Petrol (ULP95) will increase by 90 cents per litre. 
This adjustment raises the cost from the current rate of E25.27 per litre to a new pump price of E26.17 per litre.
In contrast, heavy transport operators and consumers relying on distillate fuels will experience substantial relief.
Commercial-grade Diesel (0.005% S) will drop by E2.40 per litre, moving down from E31.60 to E29.20 per litre.
Illuminating Paraffin, a critical fuel source for domestic heating and cooking in many local communities, will see the largest single reduction.
The product drops by E2.90 per litre, shifting from the current price of E26.28 to E23.38 per litre.
The data revealed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy indicates that the overall pricing review benefited from a decline in international crude oil prices.
Crude averaged USD104 per barrel during the current review period, down from the USD110 per barrel average recorded in April 2026.
The Ministry also cited lower international freight costs as a key contributing factor to the improved landing prices of refined fuel products.
The internal market dynamics driving the split in local pricing are linked directly to seasonal changes in the Northern Hemisphere.
The steep drops in diesel and paraffin costs are attributed to a standard reduction in global demand following the end of the northern winter season.
Conversely, the rise in petrol prices is the result of growing international demand as the northern summer travel season begins, which traditionally spikes transportation and tourism activity.
Despite the significant drops in the diesel and paraffin sectors, the Ministry issued a formal directive advising all domestic consumers to utilise fuel resources responsibly and efficiently.
The state communications highlighted that international oil indices and the Lilangeni/US Dollar exchange rate remain highly volatile, ensuring that local pricing will continue to face direct exposure to global market fluctuations.
