The city with the highest food prices in South Africa

In May 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 18 of the 44 tracked food items became cheaper or saw no increases year-on-year, 26 experienced price hikes, and nine items saw double-digit inflation.

Additionally, inflation was surprised by dropping to 2.8% in April 2025, a slight uptick from the 2.7% recorded in March. In its latest inflation report, Stats SA warned that some food items recorded higher annual rates in April.

The increase was driven by higher inflation in key categories like food and non-alcoholic beverages. Food NAB inflation rose to 4.0%.

This was the highest annual rate since September 2024 (recorded at 4.6%), increasing by 1.3% from March.

According to Stats SA, the rise in Food NAB was due to higher meat prices, particularly beef products like stewing beef, mince, and steak.

Meat prices increased by 2.3% on average between March and April, the highest monthly rise since January 2023 (2.5%).

According to the data, vegetables, cereal products, and fish also registered higher annual rates. 

Coffee and tea drinkers also continue to feel the pain. Hot beverages rose to 15.2%, the highest print since September 2024 (15.8%).

Alcoholic beverages also added pressure, with prices rising on average by 1.3%. This took the annual rate from 4.1% in February to 4.7% in March. 

Most expensive city for groceries

As of the end of May 2025, the cost of a household food basket, comprising 44 essential items that reflect typical purchasing patterns, reached R5,466.59. 

This is a 2.6% annual increase of R136.29 compared to May 2025. Month-on-month, the basket price also increased by R46.29, or 0.9%, compared to April 2025.

Although this annual increase is lower than the latest consumer price inflation rate of 2.8%, 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 differences. In May 2025, the household food basket cost R5,610.46 in Johannesburg, a 0.3% increase of R17.17 from the previous year.

This is R77.58 more than the recorded basket price of R5,559.46 in April. It also surpasses the national average by R143.87, 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, Durban takes back the title as the cheapest city for groceries from Cape Town, although it still recorded an increase.

Durban’s food basket, recorded at R5,427.87, increased by R2.64 (0.1%) from R5,425.23 in April 2025.

The city’s annual increase was higher, recorded at 1.6% or R87.08 from R5,340.79 in May 2024. However, this is still 3.3% or R182.59 less expensive than Johannesdurg.

Meanwhile, Cape Town’s food basket has seen significant monthly and annual increases, far higher than in Johannesburg and Durban.

Cape Town’s food basket increased by R112.62 (2.1%) from R5,316.56 in April 2025 to R5,429.18 in May 2025.

Year-on-year, the Cape Town household food basket cost increased by a notable R299.18 (5.8%) from R5,129.99 in May 2024.

Despite the significant increases, Cape Town is still R181.28 cheaper than Johannesburg and R37.41 cheaper than the national average.