Holiday braais set to burn a hole in your pocket

AS SOUTH Africans take a well-deserved rest and prepare to put their feet up and enjoy the festive season, many will find that the beloved braai is costing more than expected.

- MTHOBISI NOZULELA

This comes as the country continues to grapple with the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, which has disrupted cattle farming and tightened the supply of beef. Popular cuts such as sirloin, rump, and T-bone steaks have surged by up to 37% compared to last December, leaving holiday budgets tighter and backyard grills a lot more expensive.

According to FNB agricultural economist Paul Makube, the spike in meat prices is the largest in almost eight years, with beef, lamb, pork, and even chicken all showing significant increases.