The latest Household Affordability Index has revealed a slight decrease in food prices for South African households, with the average cost of the Household Food Basket standing at R5,328.53 in March. This represents a 1% month-on-month decrease of R55.28 and a flat year-on-year decline of 83 cents, according to the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group (PMBEJD), which tracks 44 basic foods from 47 supermarkets and 32 butcheries.
Mervyn Abrahams, director of the PMBEJD, noted that 14 foods increased in price, 29 foods decreased in price, and 1 food remained unchanged. Foods that had a significant decrease in March included rice, chicken feet, beef, butternut, and apples, while foods that increased in price by 5% or more included soup, tea (7%), tomatoes, cabbage, and peanut butter.
Household Food Basket Trends
Abrahams added that most areas had decreases in the food basket, with decreases recorded in Joburg, Durban, Cape Town, Springbok, Pietermaritzburg, and Mtubatuba, while the Mthatha food basket increased in price. The Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) latest consumer price inflation (CPI) data for February was 3.0%, and for the lowest expenditure quintiles 1-3, it was 2.4%, 2.5%, and 2.6%, respectively.
Impact on Low-Income Households
CPI food and non-alcoholic beverages inflation was 3.7%. StatsSA’s Producer Price Index for February shows agriculture was -7.1%, of which products of crops and horticulture was -21.2%, and live animals and animal products was 16.9%. The March 2026 average cost of a basic nutritional food basket for a family of four persons is R3,667.72, with a minimum shortfall on food for a worker’s family in March 2026 being 35.1% (a shortfall of R1,289.09 on a basket of nutritional food costing R3,667.72).
According to Evashnee Naidu, KwaZulu-Natal regional manager of Black Sash, the decrease in food prices is a welcome relief, but the looming fuel price increases in April could quickly reverse these gains and place further strain on already stretched budgets. Naidu warned that most people have to prioritize paying for electricity, water, and transport first, which is a major concern.
The following are some key points to consider:
- The average cost of the Household Food Basket decreased by 1% month-on-month and 0.02% year-on-year.
- 14 foods increased in price, 29 foods decreased in price, and 1 food remained unchanged.
- The March 2026 average cost of a basic nutritional food basket for a family of four persons is R3,667.72.
- The minimum shortfall on food for a worker’s family in March 2026 is 35.1% (a shortfall of R1,289.09 on a basket of nutritional food costing R3,667.72).
