Statistics South Africa said the price of milk, eggs and cheese products saw the largest rise since January 2009.
THE PRICE of milk, eggs and cheese products saw the largest rise since January 2009, according to Statistics South Africa.
The statistician-general and head of Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), Risenga Maluleke, said the annual price increase of the products was 14.5%.
He added that the average price of a 2-litre carton of fresh full-cream milk increased from R30.14 to R35.88 in the 12 months to April. Over the same period, the average price of a kilogram of cheddar cheese climbed from R118.24 to R135.11, and a tray of six eggs from R20.38 to R21.59.
Annual inflation for food and non-alcoholic beverages eased to 13.9% in April from 14.0% in March. The bread and cereals price index increased by 20,8% in the 12 months to April, slightly higher than March’s reading of 20.3%, but lower than the recent peak of 21.8% recorded in January.
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Maluleke said that, on average, vegetables were 23.1% more expensive in April 2023 compared with April 2022. This is the highest annual rate since November 2007 – more than 15 years ago. Products pushing up the rate include onions (up 52.8%), carrots (up 29.8%), peppers (up 25.0%) and potatoes (up 24.4%).
“Annual consumer inflation slowed to 6.8% in April from 7.1% in March. This is the lowest reading since May 2022, when the rate was 6.5%. The monthly change in the consumer price index (CPI) was 0.4% in April 2023,” he said.
Moreover, he said the annual inflation for food and non-alcoholic beverages eased to 13.9% in April from 14.0% in March. He said the bread and cereals price index increased by 20.8% in the 12 months to April, slightly higher than March’s reading of 20.3%, but lower than the recent peak of 21.8% recorded in January.
“Coffee lovers are feeling the pinch too. Annual inflation for non-alcoholic beverages was 10.4% in April, the highest rate since January 2010,” he said.
Maluleke added that products that registered higher than average price changes were ground coffee or beans up 17.8%, instant coffee (up 14.8%), dairy blends (up 19.2%) and fruit juices (up 16.5%).
“Meat and oils and fats are bucking the trend. Those who enjoy their steak will be glad to know that meat inflation slowed for a second consecutive month, cooling to 9.5% from 10.6% in March. Inflation for oils and fats slowed for an eighth consecutive month, tumbling from 16.0% in March to 9.9% in April. The last time this rate was in single-digit territory was November 2020.”
