8 grocery items that have become more expensive in South Africa over the last year
Statistics South Africa has published its Consumer Price Index (CPI) for January 2022, showing that headline inflation dipped to 5.7% in January from 5.9% in December.
This is mainly the result of lower fuel prices, the statistics body said in a statement on Wednesday (19 January). The consumer price index (CPI) increased by 0.2% between December and January, compared with a monthly rate of 0.6% in December.
This CPI release is the first to be compiled using the recently updated weights and the basket of goods and services.
Some of the largest annual price increases (January 2021 vs January 2022) were recorded for the following goods and services:
- Oils and fats: +22.9%
- Vegetables: + 8.6%
- Meat: + 8.2%
- Wine: + 7.4%
- Fish: + 4.6%
- Beer: + 4.5%
- Tobacco: +4.0%
- Sugar, sweets and desserts: +2.9%
Annual food and non-alcoholic beverages inflation edged higher, from 5,.% in December to 5.7% in January. The monthly rate in January was 0.9%, with large monthly increases recorded for oils & fats and vegetables.
Prices for cooking oil continue to soar, increasing by 5.2% between December and January, taking the annual rate to 32.2%.
The average price of a bottle of cooking oil (750 ml) increased to R31.12 in January 2022 from R24.25 a year ago. The annual rate for oils & fats was 22.9% in January, the highest reading since 23.7% in September 2011.
Vegetable prices jumped to an annual increase of 8.6%, the highest annual rise since April 2019. The monthly rise was 3.4%. Products that recorded notable monthly increases were tomatoes (17.4%), lettuce (15.3%), spinach (6.9%), carrots (5.7%) and pumpkin (2.6%).
Fuel and public transport prices moderate in January
Motorists and businesses breathed a little easier in January as fuel prices dropped by 2.8% from the record highs in December.
The price of inland 95-octane petrol decreased by 68 cents per litre and diesel was down by 25 cents. The annual price increase for the fuel category was 32.2% in January, lower than the 40.5% registered in December.
Passengers using public transport also enjoyed lower prices in January. Significant monthly price decreases were recorded for car rental (down 12%), air fares (down 11.3%), and long-distance buses (down 20.7%).
However, note that these movements between December and January are largely seasonal. If we compare with January 2021, car rental prices have increased by 53% and airfares are up by 13.5%. Long-distance bus fares, however, decreased by 9.3%.
Read: New pension changes coming for South Africa before the end of February
Loading ...