SA families face rising food prices as affordability index reveals harsh realities

THE latest household affordability index, released by the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group (PMEJD) on Wednesday, painted a grim picture for South African families facing escalating food costs.

- YOGASHEN PILLAY

From February to March 2025, the cost of the essential household food basket increased marginally by R6.14, now totalling R536.36, a rise of 1.0%. Over the past year, the food basket’s price has surged R53.18, or 1.0%, when compared to March 2024.

Representatives from civil society on Wednesday sounding alarm bells as they report that rising living costs were pushing poverty and food insecurity.

The PMEJD points out that among the 44 items they track, 12 saw price increases this March, with core staples such as maize meal, rice, cake flour, white sugar and samp chief among them. “This is problematic as these items take up proportionally the most room in the household purse, and are bought first,” said Mervyn Abrahams, PMEJD programme coordinator.

“This means that the diversity of the family diet is dependent on the cost of the staple foods, as the more nutrient-rich foods like eggs, meat, dairy and vegetables, are only bought after the core staple foods have been secured.”

Specifically, the PMEJD highlighted that some staple food prices have risen significantly within March 2025. Onions saw a concerning hike of 5%, while carrots and butternut surged by 15% and 7%, respectively.