11 things that cost more in South Africa today than they did a year ago
Statistics South Africa has released the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for May 2018, detailing the changes in the price level of market basket of consumer goods and services purchased by South African households.
Annual consumer price inflation was 4.4% in May 2018, down from 4.5% in April 2018. The CPI increased by 0.2% month-on-month in May 2018.
In May, the CPI for goods increased by 3.5% year-on-year (unchanged from April), and the CPI for services increased by 5.3% year-on-year (unchanged from April).
Stats SA indicated that the change VAT rate was partly to blame for these increases, increasing from 14% to 15% from 1 April 2018.
While not all items in the CPI are surveyed every month, its still possible to get a broad idea of which items have seen some of the biggest price increases over the past year.
According to May’s data, meat (7.8%), fish (6.8%), beer (9.3%), water and other services (7.3%), and fuel (9.4%) have seen some of the biggest increases compared to May 2017.
In comparison, fruit (-6.4%), bread and cereals (-4.1%), furniture (-4.1%), and telecommunication equipment (-15.8%) are now cheaper compared to their stated prices a year ago.
BusinessTech looks at some of the biggest risers and fallers over the last year:
Price increases
| Item | Increase from May 2017 to May 2018 |
|---|---|
| Fuel | 9.4% |
| Beer | 9.3% |
| Meat | 7.8% |
| Wine | 7.8% |
| Primary/Secondary school fees | 7.7% |
| Spirits | 7.5% |
| Water and other services | 7.3% |
| Insurance | 7.3% |
| Restaurants | 7.1% |
| Fish | 6.8% |
| Books, newspapers and stationery | 6.5% |
Price decreases
| Item | Decrease from May 2017 to May 2018 |
|---|---|
| Appliances, tableware and equipment | -0.9% |
| Oils and fats | -1.4% |
| Recreational equipment | -3.7% |
| Breads and cereals | -4.1% |
| Furnishings, floor coverings and textiles | -4.1% |
| Sugar, sweets and desserts | -4.3% |
| Fruit | -6.4% |
| Telecommunication equipment | -15.8% |
Read: 5 things killing your wallet in South Africa right now
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