The most expensive city to buy groceries in South Africa

In April 2025, Johannesburg remained the most expensive city in South Africa’s three major metros for groceries, followed by Cape Town and then Durban.

This is according to data from the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity (PMBEJD) group, which tracks the cost of a household food basket across the three major provinces.

The PMBEJD report found that while 17 of the 44 tracked food items became cheaper or saw no increases year-on-year, 27 experienced price hikes, and six items saw double-digit inflation.

Additionally, inflation was surprised by dropping to 2.7% in March 2025, but food inflation remained relatively sticky. 

In its latest inflation report, Stats SA warned that some food items recorded higher annual rates in March.

According to the data, vegetables, fruits and nuts, cereal products, meat, and fish registered higher annual rates. 

In comparison, oils and fats, hot beverages, milk, other dairy products, eggs, cold beverages, sugar, confectionery, and desserts had lower rates.

Inflation for cereal products accelerated to 4.3% in March from 3.9% in February. Maize meal remains a key driver, accelerating from 10.6% in February to 13.1% in March. 

Coffee and tea drinkers also continue to feel the pain. Although the annual rate for the hot beverages category declined slightly in March, it remains high at 14.4%.

The category has seen double-digit inflation in all but 5 of the 32 months since August 2022. Instant coffee is 18.8% and black tea 12.8% more expensive than a year ago.

Alcoholic beverages also added pressure, with prices rising on average by 2.1% between February and March. This took the annual rate from 4.1% in February to 4.7% in March. 

Most expensive city

As of the end of April 2025, the cost of a household food basket, comprising 44 essential items that reflect typical purchasing patterns, reached R5,420.30.

This is a 1.6% annual increase of R83.99 compared to April 2024. Month-on-month, the basket price saw a similar increase of R90.94 or 1.7%, compared to March 2025.

Although this annual increase is lower than the latest consumer price inflation rate of 2.7%, food costs remain a significant concern for many South Africans, especially in urban areas where grocery prices continue to increase.

A breakdown of costs by region further highlights the disparities. In April 2025, the household food basket cost R5,559.46 in Johannesburg, a 0.9% decrease of R52.72 from the previous year.

However, it is R77.58 more than the recorded basket price of R5,481.88 in March. It also surpasses the national average by R139.16, making Johannesburg the most expensive metro for groceries.

The monthly data showing an increase in prices in Johannesburg means the cost of food is rising in 2025, as indicated by Stats SA’s data.

In comparison, Cape Town takes back the title as the cheapest city for groceries from Durban, although it still recorded an increase.

Durban’s food basket recorded at R5,425.23, saw a significant increase of R157.64 (3%) from R5,267.58 in March 2025.

The city’s annual increase was even higher, recorded at 3.2% or R168.23 from R5,257.00 in April 2024. However, this is still 2.4% or R134.23 less expensive than Johannesdurg.

Meanwhile, Cape Town’s food basket increased by R11.25 (0.2%) from R5,305.31 in March 2025 to R5,316.56 in April 2025.

Year-on-year, the Cape Town household food basket cost increased by R129.80 (2.5%) from R5,186.76 in April 2024 to R5,316.56 in April 2025.

Despite the increases, Cape Town is R249.90 cheaper than Johannesburg and R103.74 cheaper than the national average.