Effective protein swops to tackle high meat prices

MEAT SQUEEZE

- LUTHO PASIYA

MEAT prices in South Africa remain high and continue to drive overall food inflation.

According to FNB Agribusiness senior economist Paul Makube, food inflation slowed to 5.2% year-on-year in August 2025.

The slowdown was supported by small declines in cereals, fruits, vegetables, dairy and meat. On a monthly basis, food inflation fell 0.8%, with meat showing only a modest slowdown.

Makube noted that meat inflation, which reached a peak of 11.3% year-on-year in April, remains the main contributor to overall food inflation.

The rise in meat prices has been influenced by several factors. Foot-and-mouth disease has caused supply disruptions in the livestock sector.

At the same time, chicken imports from Brazil remained below previous levels. In July, poultry import volumes fell by 34.9% month-on-month and 70.9% year-on-year. The year-to-July total was down 30.2% compared to 2024.