South African Household Food Basket Prices Show Mixed Trends in September
In September, South African households experienced varying trends in food prices. While some cities saw increases in the average cost of a household food basket, others witnessed decreases. This report analyzes these changes across different regions.
Regional Price Fluctuations
Johannesburg and Cape Town both experienced increases in the cost of an average household food basket in September. Conversely, other cities and towns, including Durban, Springbok, Pietermaritzburg, Mtubatuba, and Mthatha, recorded decreases in their respective food basket costs.
National Average and Year-on-Year Comparison
Nationally, the average cost of a household food basket in South Africa was R5,379.42 in September. This represents a slight decrease of R1.20 from August. However, compared to the same period last year, there's a notable rise of R123.74.
City-Specific Price Changes
In Johannesburg, the average food basket cost R5,554.41 in September. This marks an increase of R6.42 month-on-month and a more significant rise of R71.76 year-on-year.
Cape Town experienced a more substantial rise, with the average food basket costing R5,364.04. This represents an increase of R52.46 month-on-month and a significant R323.86 year-on-year increase.
Conversely, Durban recorded a decrease of R23.97 month-on-month. Despite this, its basket cost increased slightly by R2.38 year-on-year, reaching R5,229.11.
