Food prices decreased for some consumers in low-income communities in June 2024. However, the communities continue to live far below the poverty line when comparing their income with how much they spend on food.
Food remains too expensive for some low-income consumers.
Key data from the household food basket in the June 2024 Household Affordability Index compiled by the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group using prices collected by women who live and shop in low-income communities, show that the basket of 44 basic foods cost R5 252,77 on average in June, a decrease of R77.53 from R5 330.30 in May.
However, the basket price still increased by R196.32 from R5 056.45 in June 2023. The prices are gathered from 47 supermarkets and 32 butcheries in Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town, Pietermaritzburg and Springbok.
In June 14 of the food items increased in price, while the prices of 30 food items decreased. Only the price of tea increased by more than 5%, while food items that cost less than 5% more, include onions, that cost 3% more, soup which cost 2% more, beef liver that cost 2% more, wors that cost 4% more, butternut that cost 4% more, margarine that cost 2% more and polony that cost 3% more.
