South Africa’s annual consumer inflation rate has ticked up slightly from 2.7% in March to 2.8% in April, according to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA)—a shift driven largely by the rising cost of food and non-alcoholic beverages.
Stats SA reported that food prices rose 4% year-on-year, marking a notable pressure point for consumers. Among the hardest-hit items was meat, which saw a 2.3% jump in just one month, with stewing beef, mince, and steak leading the pack.
While overall inflation remains within the South African Reserve Bank’s target range of 3–6%, the sharp uptick in essentials is likely to impact household budgets, especially among low- and middle-income earners.
Economists warn that if food price pressures continue, further increases could follow in the months ahead, particularly as global commodity prices and local supply challenges persist.
