{"id":693941,"date":"2023-06-05T16:47:39","date_gmt":"2023-06-05T14:47:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=693941"},"modified":"2023-06-05T16:56:00","modified_gmt":"2023-06-05T14:56:00","slug":"how-much-more-youre-paying-for-deodorant-toothpaste-and-other-household-items-in-south-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/lifestyle\/693941\/how-much-more-youre-paying-for-deodorant-toothpaste-and-other-household-items-in-south-africa\/","title":{"rendered":"How much more you’re paying for deodorant, toothpaste and other household items in South Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"

While it is well known that food prices have compounded the financial pressures faced by South Africans over the past year, it is not the only household expense that has seen a notable rise in prices, as some basic personal hygiene products have also seen double-digit increases.<\/p>\n

Data from the Household Affordability Index<\/a> by the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice & Dignity group (PMBEJD) shows a continuation of food price hikes in May.<\/p>\n

The index showed that the average cost of its Household Food Basket climbed 0.9% \u2013 or R47.64\u00a0\u2013 to\u00a0R5,071.59 in May 2023. However, year-on-year (YoY), the average cost of the basket increased by R461.70 (10.0%).<\/strong><\/p>\n

The 10% hike is well above headline inflation (CPI) recorded in May at 6.8% and shares double digits with reported food inflation at 13.9%.<\/p>\n

The zero-rated foods in the household food basket increased by R41.46 \u2013 or 1.6% \u2013 to R2,714.20 month-on-month and by R309.84 (12,9%)\u00a0 to R2,714.20 year-on-year.<\/p>\n

Increase in household items\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

While the group showed a notable increase in foods in May, it also published its Household Domestic & Personal Hygiene Index<\/strong> for May 2023, showing how these items have increased over the past year.<\/p>\n

\u201cDomestic and personal hygiene products are critical expenses for safe hygiene and overall health and well-being. The money needed to secure domestic and personal hygiene products is sourced from within the food budget. These products compete viciously in the food budget,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n

Month-on-month, the cost of the household domestic and personal hygiene products basket increased by\u00a0R17.35<\/strong> \u2013 or 1.9% \u2013from R927.99 in April 2023 to R945.34 in May 2023.<\/strong><\/p>\n

However, year-on-year, the cost of the household domestic and personal hygiene products basket increased by R138.04 \u2013 or 17.1%<\/strong> \u2013 from R807.30 in May 2022 to R945,34 in May 2023.<\/p>\n

This increase far outstrips the yearly increases in the Household Food Basket (10%) and reported CPI (6.8%).<\/p>\n

Of the 14 domestic and personal hygiene products analysed by the PMBEJD, the prices of three products have rocketed well above 20% over the past year, with washing powder toeing the line at 19%.<\/p>\n

These three products are:<\/p>\n