Looking at food prices today, we can see just how much prices have increased in the past six months.<\/p>\n
The BusinessTech basket<\/strong><\/p>\n Apples (1.5kg); Cabbage (one head); Coca Cola (2 litres); Eggs (6, extra large); Flour (self-raising, 2.5kg); Maize (white, 2.5kg); Margarine (500g spread); Milk (full-cream, 2 litres); Rice (white, par-boiled, 2kg); and Sugar (white, 2.5kg).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The average basket – containing 10 food items such as apples, cabbage, maize, milk and eggs – would have cost between R187 and R224 in August, depending on where you shop.<\/p>\n The same basket today costs between R214 and R240 (7% – 14% more).<\/p>\n The average basket of food is now over 10% more than it was six months ago, due in large part to a big hike in fruit and vegetable prices and the cost of eggs and rice.<\/p>\n Note:<\/strong> A significant decrease in milk price at one of the SA stores led to an overall decrease in the overall average price of milk.<\/em><\/small><\/p>\n A food basket survey published by the Markets and Economic Research Centre (MERC) showed that food prices in South Africa have increased 8.7% between December 2014 and December 2015 – exceeding the inflation rates of the consumer price index (CPI).<\/p>\n According to AgriSA, white maize prices have increased by 150% over the past 12 months, with yellow maize prices up by 80%.<\/p>\n The barometer measuring the basic food basket (which contains basic food items in bulk) has increased by R149 since November, the City Press reported.<\/p>\n Food price changes (City Press)<\/p><\/div>\n Earlier economic projections in January predicted that food prices in the country would likely shoot up by another 10% by the middle of 2016 (hitting 25% higher by April 2017).<\/p>\n AgriSA says food prices will be 15% higher by the end of 2016, affecting the poorest of the poor – who spend up to 40% of total income on food – the hardest.<\/p>\n South Africa’s staple foods have been hit by a major drought in the country, which has forced the government to import vital foods at greater cost.<\/p>\n While recent rainfall has given local farmers a bit of a reprieve, much more is needed to drop the amount of grain we need to import from 4 million tonnes.<\/p>\n On top of rising food costs, South Africans sit with higher water tariffs, increased rates, over-indebtedness and a potential 17% increase in electricity prices.<\/p>\n The hidden sugar in South African fast food<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Get ready for a food price shock in 2016<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n South Africans are in for a food price shock<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n![\"Food](\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Food-price-changes.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"Basket](\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Basket-price-changes.png\")
<\/p>\nThe sky is the limit<\/h3>\n
![\"Food](\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Food-price-changes-City-Press.jpg\")
More on food<\/h3>\n