What your groceries cost in 1995 vs today in South Africa

In 1995, a typical middle-income South African grocery basket consisting of 15 staple items cost R82.68.

Fast-forward nearly three decades, and that same basket now costs R644.85.

This represents a staggering 680% increase in grocery costs, far outpacing the general inflation rate of 384% during the same period.

The significant disparity highlights the pressures of food inflation in South Africa, which has profoundly impacted households, particularly on essential items like chicken and eggs.

The data, sourced from archived records by Stats SA for 1995 and recent prices from leading grocery retailers in 2024, paints a clear picture of the changing cost dynamics.

Over the years, the price increase in staple foods has consistently exceeded general inflation, with some items recording more than double the inflation rate:

• Eggs: +R22.87 (1079%)
• Cooking oil: +R29.53 (853%)
• Butter: +R67.03 (842%)
• White bread: +R17.85 (834%)
• Chicken: +R81.99 (812%)

Notably, eggs saw a 1,079% price increase, chicken rose by 812%, and staples like cooking oil, butter, and white bread also outpaced inflation by over 800%.

A variety of factors have contributed to these price surges. One of the primary drivers of food inflation in South Africa has been the rising cost of agricultural inputs, including fertilizers, feed, and energy.

Global supply chain disruptions, exacerbated by economic instability and geopolitical tensions, have led to higher import costs for raw materials essential for food production.

Additionally, climate change and extreme weather events have had a direct impact on local agriculture, reducing yields and driving up prices.

The impact of these factors is particularly evident in items like chicken and eggs. Poultry is a cornerstone of South African diets, yet the industry has faced numerous challenges.

Feed costs, which account for a significant portion of poultry production expenses, have surged due to global commodity price increases.

Outbreaks of avian influenza in recent years have further disrupted production, causing shortages and driving up prices.

As a result, chicken and eggs have become emblematic of the broader struggles within the agricultural sector to maintain affordability amid rising costs.

Other items, such as cooking oil and butter, have similarly been affected by international market trends and local production challenges.

For instance, the global spike in oilseed prices, driven by demand for biofuels and supply chain issues, has filtered into higher costs for cooking oil.

Butter, reliant on dairy production, has seen price hikes tied to feed costs for cattle and rising energy prices affecting milk processing.

The rapid price increases in food essentials have profound implications for South African households.

Middle-income earners, who form the bulk of the consumer base for this typical grocery basket, are feeling the pinch as a greater share of their income is diverted to food expenses.

For lower-income families, these increases exacerbate food insecurity, forcing difficult trade-offs between nutrition and other essential needs.

While economic interventions such as subsidies for agricultural inputs and investments in resilient farming practices could mitigate some of these pressures, addressing food inflation in South Africa remains a complex challenge.

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