Since pre-Covid May 2019, South Africans are now paying an estimated R2,280 more for a basket of grocery items as of May 2024. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is according to the price comparison of the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice & Dignity Group (PMBEJD) Food Affordability Index over the past five years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
PMBEJD\u2019s Household Food Affordability Index examines 44 food prices collected directly by data collectors from the shelves of 47 supermarkets and 32 butcheries that cater to the low-income market most frequented by the people in the areas where they live.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The basket looks at and compares the average food prices in Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town, Springbok, Maritzburg, and Mtubatuba.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The PMBEJD\u2019s May 2024 Household Affordability Index showed that the average cost of a household food basket is currently R5,330.30.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is an R258.70 increase from one year ago (May 2023) but an R6.01 decrease from April 2024. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, compared to 2019, the cost difference increased to R2,279.19, <\/b>with the basket costing R3051.11 in May 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While dozens of food items have seen price increases of over 50%, there are seven items that more than doubled in price (>100%). These items are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over the past month, rice and sugar beans have increased by over 30%, while other items such as eggs, sugar, peanut butter, and fruits such as oranges have seen increases of over 20%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inflation data from Stats SA for April 2024 showed that sharp price increases were recorded for rice, with annual rice inflation accelerating to 26.4%\u2014the highest reading since May\u00a02009 when the rate was 41.9%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to data from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), sales at general retailers, which represent the retail trade of food and beverage products at non-specialised stores, declined by 2.2% in 2023 when adjusted for inflation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, consultancy firm PwC noted that considering population growth of an estimated 1.0% during the year, the volume of food and beverages sold per capita at grocery stores and supermarkets declined by 3.2% in 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
PwC warned that while real income growth is expected to be marginally positive this year, pressure on food prices has increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Southern Africa had its driest February this year in more than four decades, with a study by World Weather Attribution finding that this was mainly caused by El Ni\u00f1o rather than human-caused climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The prolonged drought led to a shortage of water and reduced crop yields in the region, which is expected to continue to put pressure on food inflation in the second half of 2024 and into 2025. <\/p>\n\n\n\n