Wednesday, January 25th, the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group (PMBEJD) released its January Household Affordability Index. The index indicates that food prices in South Africa continue to climb.
Index of Household Affordability
The index was established in collaboration with women living on low incomes in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Springbok, and Pietermaritzburg, and it covers foods that women living in a typical low-income household (seven family members) purchase each month.
According to PMBEJD, “women data collectors track food prices directly from the shelves of 44 supermarkets and 30 butcheries that target the low-income market and that women have identified as those where they shop in their neighborhoods.”
The Household Food Basket tracks 44 foods, and data is gathered monthly between the 1st and 4th.
The price of the typical Household Food Basket climbed by 1.3% between December 2022 and January 2023, according to the data, and is now R4917.32. In January of 2022, the identical basket cost R516,40 less than it did in January of the previous year, a drop of 11.7%, which is significantly greater than the reported inflation rate.
The index also takes into account the cost of meals that are prioritized and purchased first. These essential commodities, including meat, eggs, and dairy, prevent families from being hungry, according to PMBEJD.
In January 2023, the total price of the 17 key foods grew by R29,38 (1.1% month-over-month) to R2676,74. Typically, the cost of staple foods accounts for 55% of the entire cost of the Household Food Basket. The cost of staple goods has increased by R367.30 (15.7%) annually.
These foods must be purchased despite price increases. According to the Group, a significant amount of wholesome, nutritious food is eliminated from family plates due to the high cost of staple foods.
The high cost of staple foods has a negative influence on the health and well-being of households and the growth of children.
The Index examines the prices of the Household Food Basket in various regions and calculates the average price based on the sum of the individual prices.
In January, food was most costly in Durban (R4974.99), followed by Cape Town (R4948.47), Johannesburg (R4873.28), Pietermaritzburg (R4850.97), and Springbok (R4873.28) (R4777,13).
»Rising food costs: An index reflects an increase in the price of basic goods«