The cost of hosting a braai in South Africa was flat in December 2024 but more expensive than a year ago, putting households on the back foot heading into the new year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is according to the latest Braai index, conceptualised by Bloomberg and compiled using the latest data from the Pietermaritzburg Equity Justice and Dignity (PMGEJD) for December.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The index looks at the food items used in the preparation of braai, and tracks the movement in prices of this specific basket month-on-month and year-on-year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This includes meat (Beef, wors, chicken portions), vegetables (spinach, carrots, tomatoes, potatoes, onions, green pepper) and others (samp, maize, curry powder, salt).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To compile its survey, the PMBEJD\u2019s data collectors track food prices on the shelves of 47 supermarkets and 32 butcheries that target the low-income market in the greater areas of Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town, Pietermaritzburg, Springbok in the far northwest and the far northeastern town of Mtubatuba.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The month-on-month index showed prices for a braai were flat at 0.0%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Year-on-year, prices were up 4.0%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Month-on-month pricing between November and December was only 70 cents more expensive. Between December 2023 and 2024, however, the costs were over R70 more expensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the biggest drivers behind the change is the much higher prices for maize meal and vegetables like tomatoes and spinach – so if you want to keep prices down, you’d have to cut these from the menu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Braai Index is out of step with the latest inflation figures, which cover November 2024 – implying that some costs, especially for vegetables, increased in the final month of the year. The December 2024 CPI figures will be published later in January 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Annual inflation for food & non-alcoholic beverages (NAB) witnessed another sharp decline in November, slowing to 2.3% from 3.6% in October. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This marks the lowest inflation rate for the category since December 2010, when it stood at 1.6%. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eight of the 11 food & NAB groups registered lower rates, including vegetables; milk, eggs & cheese; hot beverages; bread & cereals; cold beverages; meat; sugar, sweets & desserts; and the miscellaneous category \u2018other\u2019 food. Fish inflation was flat, while oils & fats and fruit recorded steeper price increases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Month-on-month index change [0.0%<\/mark>]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n
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