It is no real surprise that South African’s are in for a huge price hike this year in food costs, as fuel prices continue to soar month after month. With South Africa’s logistics being largely supplied via trucks, the fuel prices will continue to make a large impact on the food prices in the coming months and years.
It is also no doubt that South Africans are struggling in the current economic climate as statistics show that there is a clear spike in spending on the days that social grants or monthly salaries are paid, said Boone, CEO of Pick n Pay.
Food Costs that have increased in the last year
Staples that South Africans rely on can be found in this list. Recently, prices have also gone up dramatically for tomatoes as South African tomato farmers experience an increase in pest control. Clive Garret, marketing head for ZZ2, South Africa’s largest tomato producer, said the pests behind the current damage are tomato leaf miners.
- Gizzards: +33%
- Beef liver: +29%
- Cooking oil: +27%
- Chicken livers: +26%
- Sugar beans: +19%
- Fish: +19%
- Eggs: +15%
- Beef: +15%
- Apples: +15%
- Wors: +14%
- Polony: +13%
- Frozen chicken portions: +10%
- Cremora: +10%
- Margarine: +10%
See the Household Food Index for November 2021 blow:
Will SONA2022 address the food costs?
With the upcoming State of the Nation address to happen on the 10th of February 2022, we are all concerned and waiting in anticipation as to how the government and the ANC plan on addressing these huge concerns that our economy currently faces. Many South Africans are struggling to survive in this economy especially with the massive influx of dependants on the SASSA grant of R350 per month.
What can you buy with R350 per month, grocery wise?
According to the increase in prices as shown above. On average the SASSA Grant can only provide your household with the following items for the R350 per month:
- 4 x Standard Brown Bread: R5
- 1 x 1 kg Margarine: R32.99
- 2 x 18 Large Eggs: R29.99
- 1 x Chicken Braai Pack 5 Piece: R45 per kg
- 1 x 500g Chicken Livers (frozen): R19.99
- 10 x Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce: R9.99
- 1 x 2.5 kg Huletts White Sugar: R49.99
- 1 x 125g Five Roses Quality Loose Tea: R24.99
Total: R352.84
Disclaimer: All pricing is from Shoprite based on today’s prices.
Based on these prices, it is difficult to imagine feeding one person, let alone a family.