By: Zahid Jadwat

Global factors, particularly the ongoing war in Ukraine and a ban on palm oil exports in Indonesia, have triggered a sudden spike in food prices in South Africa, according to a report by Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity (PMBEJD).

The group’s latest Household Affordability Index, published Thursday, found that the average cost of the Household Food Basket increased by R92.84 from March to April 2022, and by R344 year-on-year between April 2021 to April 2022. It now stands at R4 542,93.

“Food prices have been on the increase for way over a year now, but we have seen a sudden spike in the last two or three months – largely due to some global factors, particularly the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the recent decision by Indonesia to stop any exports of palm oil. 35 of our 44 foods that we track increased over the past month,” said Mervyn Abrahams, programme coordinator at the PMBEJD.

The April 2022 Household Affordability Index, which tracked food price data from 44 supermarkets and 30 butcheries in Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town, Pietermaritzburg and Springbok noted that “the significant increases (5% and above) are: cooking oil, potatoes, beef, fish, spinach, cabbage, green pepper, tinned pilchards, bananas, polony, and apricot jam”.

“Increases, also including maize meal, cake flour, rice, white sugar, samp, eggs, milk, frozen chicken portions, margarine, peanut butter, bread; and curry powder, stock cubes.”

“Factors (global and local) impacting on the plate include the war in Ukraine, the high brent crude oil price, the high fuel price, and a weak exchange rate. Much higher production and logistical costs will continue to drive prices upwards and are likely to continue rising for the rest of 2022.

Furthermore, the report warned that the recent flooding in parts of KwaZulu-Natal may push prices even higher in the coming months: “The recent flooding in KwaZulu-Natal (not accounted for in this April data – prices collected before the rains) will add to these increases going forward”.