South Africans are facing a significant increase in the cost of food, according to the latest household affordability index compiled by the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice & Dignity Group (PMBEJD).
The index, which tracks food prices in 44 supermarkets and 30 butcheries across South Africa, reveals that the average cost of the household food basket is now R4,966.20. This represents an increase of R516.12 (11.6%) from last year.
The report found that the cost of potatoes, carrots, and tomatoes has increased by more than 5%, while frozen chicken pieces, tea, full cream milk, eggs, canned beans, and bread have all gone up by 2% or more.
The rise in food prices has been exacerbated by the fact that electricity and transport costs now take up 53% of a worker’s pay, earning a minimum wage of R4,473.92.
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‘Food is bought after money for transport and electricity have been paid for or set aside (leaving only R2,102.42 for food and everything else) and so in March 2023, PMBEJD calculates that workers’ families will underspend on food by a minimum of 38.7%,’ the report said.
‘In this scenario, there is no possibility of a worker being able to afford enough nutritious food for their family.’
PMBEJD’s Mervyn Abrahams warned that families will face dramatic food shortfalls and hardship when new electricity tariffs of 18.65% come into effect in June/July 2023, and taxi fares are raised in August.
He added that the average cost to feed a child a basic nutritious diet is R874.71, which has increased by R86.72 or 11% year-on-year.
Furthermore, the child support grant of R480 is 28% below the food poverty line of R663 and 45% below the average cost to feed a child a basic nutritious diet, indicating that many families in South Africa are struggling to afford enough food to sustain themselves and their children.
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