Inflation for food and beverages edged higher in August, breaking an eight-month downtrend, according to data released by Statistics SA on Wednesday.
Consumer inflation slowed overall to 4.4%. This is the lowest it has been since April 2021.
Annual food and non-alcoholic beverages inflation accelerated to 4.7% in August, up from 4.5% in July. The most significant increases include:
- Instant coffee: Inflation hit 22.3%, a 19-month high. The average price for 250g of instant coffee was R67.37 in August 2024, up from R52.71 in August 2023
- Eggs are up 21.1% since August last year, costing an average of R68.75 for 18
- Rice: The price of rice has increased by 17.3%
- Bread and cereals: These are 17.3% more expensive than last year, with pizza and pies up 10.9% and hot breakfast cereals up almost 8%. The monthly rise in bread and cereals was 0.4%, with a notable increase recorded for bread flour (+2.1%). A loaf of white bread now costs almost R19
