Hunger rises as food prices hit the roof

Hunger in South Africa is increasing as food prices go through the roof. Low-income consumers have to remove nutritious foods from the plates of their families more often as it becomes just too expensive to buy.

According to the Household Affordability Index of the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group, various staples on the food shopping list of low-income consumers showed dramatic increases in price:

Cooking oil (5 litres): the price increased by 69% (+R27 04) from June 2021 when it cost R135.74, while it cost R228.94 in June 2022, 13% or R27.04 more than in May when it cost R201.90.

Cake flour (10kg): the price increased by 24% (+R22.21) from June 2021 when it cost R93.69, while it cost R115.90 in June 2022, 7% or R7.52 more than in May when it cost R108.37.

Samp (5 kg): the price increased by 18% (+R8.57) from June 2021 when it cost R46.72, while it cost R55.29 in June 2022, 3% or R1.78 more than in May when it cost R53.51.

Maize meal (30kg): the price increased by 11% (+27.48) from June 2021 when it cost R241.40, while it cost R268.88 in June 2022, four percent or R9.34 more than in May when it cost R259.54.

Frozen chicken portions (10kg): the price increased by 14% (+R47.02) from June 2021 when it cost R336.51, while it cost R383.53 in June 2022, almost the same as in May when it cost R381.66.

The index said the escalation of food inflation on basic staple foods that households cannot absorb and one where no apparent relief is forthcoming, at least in the near-term, is a major concern.

“This situation raises three red flags of increased hunger, increased risk of social instability and general deterioration of health, with short-term and longterm consequences.

“This month, public transport fares are to increase, including school transport, while the annual electricity tariff hikes will also come into effect.”

The household food basket in the affordability index was designed with women living on low incomes in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Springbok and Pietermaritzburg and includes the foods and the volumes women living in a family of seven try and secure each month.

The prices of 29 items in the basket of 44 products increased in price over the past month:

In June 2022, the average cost of the basket was R4 688.81.

The average cost of the basket increased by R78.92 (1.7%) from R4 609.89 in May.

The average cost of the basket increased by R560.57 (13.6%), from R4 128.23 in June 2021.

The index stated that local and global factors continued to drive up food prices.