New data reveals that Johannesburg has maintained its position as South Africa's most expensive city for groceries, with food prices continuing to climb in 2025, reports Cape townEtc .
The latest figures from the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity PMBEJD group show that while some items saw price drops, the majority became more expensive, with some staples hitting double-digit inflation, as reported by BusinessTech .
As of July, the average household food basket, comprising 44 essential items, cost R5,442.72, marking a 3.6 annual increase. This surge outpaces the national consumer price inflation rate of 3.0, underscoring the growing financial strain on urban households.
A closer look at the three major metros shows stark differences:
- Johannesburg remains the priciest, with a food basket costing R5,656.43-R213.71 above the national average. Year-on-year, prices rose by 2.2, while month-on-month, they inched up by R7.58.
- Cape Town saw the sharpest annual spike at 6.7, pushing its basket to R5,371.35. Despite a slight monthly dip, the city's food inflation remains concerning.
- Durban was the most affordable at R5,358.09, but even there, prices rose by 2.8 annually.
Statistics South Africa Stats SA attributes the inflation surge to soaring meat prices, particularly beef, due to foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks and higher feed costs. Stewing beef skyrocketed by 21.2 , which is the steepest increase since 2017.