inflation Archives

South African families are struggling to make ends meet.1 An average family of four is struggling to afford basic food.2 For a couple and their two children basic healthy eating food costs about R 3, 614.3 This is around R 443 more than a year ago.4 This is according to the latest research by the Bureau for Food and agricultural Policy (BFAP) which showed that South Africa’s food inflation was still stubbornly high at 11.8 percent – but was showing signs of decline.5 The BFAP Thrifty Healthy Food Basket (THFB) measures the cost of basic healthy eating for low-income households in South Africa.6 The methodology considers national nutrition guidelines, typical food intake patterns of lower-income households, official Stats SA food retail prices, and typical household demogr...

Since the relentless challenges faced by South Africans due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the impact of soaring inflation on the cost of living has become increasingly burdensome. Families across the country are feeling the pinch, particularly when it comes to food prices, which have been hit the hardest. The financial strain has prompted a wave of cost-cutting measures, as consumers search for ways to navigate these turbulent economic times. According to the latest findings from the Household Affordability Index, a monthly report compiled by the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice & Dignity Group (PMBEJD), the cost of staple food items has skyrocketed by a staggering 10% from May 2022 to May 2023. The report paints a stark picture, revealing that the average monthly expenditure on essent...

Tag: inflation

South Africa’s Food Inflation & What To Expect