SA food security improves slightly, but hunger remains widespread – Shoprite Index

SOUTH Africa's food security has shown modest progress, according to the latest Shoprite SA Food Security Index, released on Thursday.

- YOGASHEN PILLAY

THE Shoprite SA Food Security Index released on Thursday indicated a slight improvement, rising to 56.5 in 2024 from 44.9 in 2023. | SUPPLIED

The Index rose to 56.5 in 2024, up from 44.9 in 2023, signaling an improvement but still lagging behind the 2019 score of 65.8, when hunger levels were significantly lower.

While Shoprite and civil society groups have welcomed the improvement, they warn that hunger and malnutrition remain deeply entrenched challenges across the country.

Sanjeev Raghubir, Shoprite's chief sustainability officer, said the findings offer "a glimmer of cautious optimism," but stressed that hunger continues to affect millions of South Africans – including at least one in 10 children.

"This index is designed to monitor the country's progress in addressing hunger and to close the significant research gap that exists on this critical issue," he said.

Raghubir explained that the Index measures food security based on four key factors: food availability, economic and physical access, diet diversity, and stability. He noted that price remains the single biggest influence on consumer food choices.