In September, South Africa saw a slight uptick in annual consumer inflation, rising to 3.4% from 3.3% in August, with the monthly change in the consumer price index (CPI) recorded at 0.2%.
Several sectors have experienced accelerated inflation, notably in transport and the restaurant and accommodation segments, reports Cape {town} Etc.
Meanwhile, categories such as food and non-alcoholic beverages (NAB), alcoholic beverages and tobacco, and furnishings showed reduced inflation rates, painting a mixed picture of the overall economic landscape.
Meat prices surge
Among the most significant contributors to inflationary pressure is the ongoing rise in meat prices. Meat inflation has surged to an alarming 11.7%, marking the highest annual rate since January 2018 when it peaked at 13.4%. While the month-on-month increases for beef have slowed, the overall price levels remain elevated.
For instance, stewing beef costs have shown a staggering annual rise of 32.2%, demonstrating the enduring challenge faced by households.
Other meat varieties have also felt the heat. The annual inflation rates for pork and lamb advanced significantly, with chicken prices following suit, albeit at a more moderate pace.
Individually quick frozen (IQF) chicken, for example, witnessed an increase from 4.4% in August to 5.0% in September, fuelled by a monthly uptick of 1.1%.
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Mixed news in food and beverages
In a surprising turn of events, the milk, other dairy products, and eggs category has maintained a deflationary trend for four consecutive months, with prices averaging 1.6% lower than the same time last year.
This includes notable declines in the prices of fresh full-cream milk, which fell by 2.1%, and eggs, which have dropped significantly, boasting an annual decrease from -6.7% to -8.2%.
For reference, the cost of an 18-pack of eggs has decreased from R69.36 in September 2024 to R62.58 in September 2025.
On the flip side, cheese inflation has edged upward, with Gouda and cheddar witnessing price increases of 6.4% and 6.3%, respectively. Simultaneously, the annual rate for cereal products rose slightly to 1.6%, with white rice prices continuing to decline by 7.8%. Meanwhile, maize meal inflation accelerated to 9.5%, reflecting the broader pressures felt across the market.
Transport and housing rental trends
In the transport sector, consumers have seen a continuation of deflation for the thirteenth consecutive month, with the annual rate standing at -0.1% in September. Although motor vehicles have become 1.4% pricier year-over-year, passenger transport has dropped by 1.9%.
Additionally, fuel prices declined slightly by 0.3% from August to September, leading to a negative annual rate of -2.2% for fuel.
Moreover, housing rentals have experienced upward movement, with actual rentals rising by an average of 3.2% annually, a modest increase from 3.0% in June. Townhouse rentals registered an even more notable jump of 5.4%, signalling pressure in the rental market.
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