![\"\"](\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Braai-Index-Changes-ending-Dec-2025.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nMonth-on-month [-1.6%<\/mark>]<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Braai-Index-December-2025-MOM-898x1024.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nYear-on-year [+0.7%<\/mark>]<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Braai-Index-December-2025-YOY-894x1024.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWatch out for meat prices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
It should be noted that the Braai Index is heavily influenced by two proteins\u2014beef and chicken\u2014which are by far the most widely consumed in the country (around 50% and 25%, respectively).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other proteins, such as those from pork and lamb, are not tracked in the PMBEJD basket and therefore do not appear on the index.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Producers of these proteins have criticised the data presented in the index, noting that braai affordability could differ significantly if consumers choose alternative proteins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because of the central role of beef and chicken in the index, it is invariably impacted by the fluctuating costs of these meats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since May 2025, South Africa has been experiencing a significant outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), which has exerted upward pressure on red meat prices in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As tracked by Stats SA, beef products have experienced year-over-year (y\/y) inflation of over 20%, and this has also been reflected in the Braai Index, which uses retail pricing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While the impact of FMD has been felt most acutely in red meat products, Stats SA noted in December that other meat products have now joined the fray in seeing higher prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It recorded price increases with pork, mutton & lamb, as well as sausage prices, \u201crising fast,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Luckily, the price hikes in these proteins are being offset by moderation in most other food categories, with healthy crop yields particularly benefiting from favourable weather conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS), pricing is likely to remain firm for the time being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The group reported steady export demand and moderate herd rebuilding; however, this has been offset by higher feed costs and other production expenses, which have prevented price relief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a result, the RMIS noted shifting consumer behaviour, with shoppers opting for more affordable cuts of meat, buying meat in bulk and turning to chicken, plant-based proteins, or smaller meat portions to counter rising costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Overall, the Braai Index remains a broad indicator of food inflation, tracking the most widely consumed food products, as tracked by the PMBEJD. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Costs will vary depending on what you actually eat.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The latest Braai Index indicates that the cost of hosting a braai in South Africa is becoming more affordable\u2014but meat prices are still shooting up.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":841294,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9876],"tags":[21654,14664,24145],"class_list":["post-847132","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle","tag-braai-index","tag-pmbejd","tag-rmis"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/847132","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=847132"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/847132\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":847153,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/847132\/revisions\/847153"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/841294"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=847132"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=847132"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=847132"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nYear-on-year [+0.7%<\/mark>]<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWatch out for meat prices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
It should be noted that the Braai Index is heavily influenced by two proteins\u2014beef and chicken\u2014which are by far the most widely consumed in the country (around 50% and 25%, respectively).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other proteins, such as those from pork and lamb, are not tracked in the PMBEJD basket and therefore do not appear on the index.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Producers of these proteins have criticised the data presented in the index, noting that braai affordability could differ significantly if consumers choose alternative proteins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because of the central role of beef and chicken in the index, it is invariably impacted by the fluctuating costs of these meats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since May 2025, South Africa has been experiencing a significant outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), which has exerted upward pressure on red meat prices in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As tracked by Stats SA, beef products have experienced year-over-year (y\/y) inflation of over 20%, and this has also been reflected in the Braai Index, which uses retail pricing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While the impact of FMD has been felt most acutely in red meat products, Stats SA noted in December that other meat products have now joined the fray in seeing higher prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It recorded price increases with pork, mutton & lamb, as well as sausage prices, \u201crising fast,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Luckily, the price hikes in these proteins are being offset by moderation in most other food categories, with healthy crop yields particularly benefiting from favourable weather conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS), pricing is likely to remain firm for the time being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The group reported steady export demand and moderate herd rebuilding; however, this has been offset by higher feed costs and other production expenses, which have prevented price relief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a result, the RMIS noted shifting consumer behaviour, with shoppers opting for more affordable cuts of meat, buying meat in bulk and turning to chicken, plant-based proteins, or smaller meat portions to counter rising costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Overall, the Braai Index remains a broad indicator of food inflation, tracking the most widely consumed food products, as tracked by the PMBEJD. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Costs will vary depending on what you actually eat.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The latest Braai Index indicates that the cost of hosting a braai in South Africa is becoming more affordable\u2014but meat prices are still shooting up.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":841294,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9876],"tags":[21654,14664,24145],"class_list":["post-847132","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle","tag-braai-index","tag-pmbejd","tag-rmis"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/847132","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=847132"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/847132\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":847153,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/847132\/revisions\/847153"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/841294"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=847132"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=847132"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=847132"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWatch out for meat prices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
It should be noted that the Braai Index is heavily influenced by two proteins\u2014beef and chicken\u2014which are by far the most widely consumed in the country (around 50% and 25%, respectively).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other proteins, such as those from pork and lamb, are not tracked in the PMBEJD basket and therefore do not appear on the index.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Producers of these proteins have criticised the data presented in the index, noting that braai affordability could differ significantly if consumers choose alternative proteins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because of the central role of beef and chicken in the index, it is invariably impacted by the fluctuating costs of these meats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since May 2025, South Africa has been experiencing a significant outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), which has exerted upward pressure on red meat prices in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As tracked by Stats SA, beef products have experienced year-over-year (y\/y) inflation of over 20%, and this has also been reflected in the Braai Index, which uses retail pricing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While the impact of FMD has been felt most acutely in red meat products, Stats SA noted in December that other meat products have now joined the fray in seeing higher prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It recorded price increases with pork, mutton & lamb, as well as sausage prices, \u201crising fast,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Luckily, the price hikes in these proteins are being offset by moderation in most other food categories, with healthy crop yields particularly benefiting from favourable weather conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS), pricing is likely to remain firm for the time being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The group reported steady export demand and moderate herd rebuilding; however, this has been offset by higher feed costs and other production expenses, which have prevented price relief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a result, the RMIS noted shifting consumer behaviour, with shoppers opting for more affordable cuts of meat, buying meat in bulk and turning to chicken, plant-based proteins, or smaller meat portions to counter rising costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Overall, the Braai Index remains a broad indicator of food inflation, tracking the most widely consumed food products, as tracked by the PMBEJD. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Costs will vary depending on what you actually eat.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The latest Braai Index indicates that the cost of hosting a braai in South Africa is becoming more affordable\u2014but meat prices are still shooting up.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":841294,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9876],"tags":[21654,14664,24145],"class_list":["post-847132","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle","tag-braai-index","tag-pmbejd","tag-rmis"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/847132","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=847132"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/847132\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":847153,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/847132\/revisions\/847153"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/841294"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=847132"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=847132"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=847132"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}