Food prices ease slightly, but fuel hike threatens relief for struggling households

SOUTH African households received modest relief in March as food prices declined slightly both month-on-month and year-on-year, according to the latest Household Affordability Index.

- YOGASHEN PILLAY

THE latest Household Affordability index released on Tuesday indicated decreases in food prices both year on year and month on month. PEXELS

However, civil society organisations warn that looming fuel price increases in April could quickly reverse these gains and place further strain on already stretched budgets.

The latest Household Affordability index released on Tuesday indicated decreases in food prices both year-on-year and month-on-month.

According to the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group (PMBEJD), which tracks 44 basic foods from 47 supermarkets and 32 butcheries in March, the average cost of the Household Food Basket was at R5,328.53.

This reflected a 1% month-on-month decrease of R55.28 and a flat year-on-year decline of 83 cents.

Mervyn Abrahams, director of the PMBEJD, said that of the 44 foods tracked in the basket: 14 foods increased in price, 29 foods decreased in price, and 1 food remained unchanged.

Abrahams said that among the foods that had a significant decrease in March included rice, chicken feet, beef, butternut, and apples.