Oil, tomatoes, and dried beans are the top three things we are paying more for
The pandemic hasn't just caused us to adapt to different lifestyles, but according to Stats SA, it's definitely affecting our pockets, too.
We are all going through it when it comes to making ends meet and still being able to be there for our families on an emotional level. It's anything but easy and finding the courage to keep going can be challenging.
But we are a nation that is built on hardships and hope, that's what we are known for as South Africans. To be able to pick ourselves up, dust off all the negativity and hardship, and strive on like the warriors that we are.
Statistics South Africa have revealed that the inflation headline has exceeded the monetary policy target range of the South African Reserve Bank, reaching a total of 4.4%.
Whatever that means, all we know is that it translates into us paying more for our basic household food items, a hike in the fuel prices, and the basics like tomatoes and cooking oil.
We have always been known as a nation that can make things last, we remember being able to buy a 10kg bag of rice and it lasted us for more than a month. But nowadays it doesn't run the full month. What's changed?
May 2021 saw the highest inflation rate of 5.2%, the last time it was this high was in November 2018. That says a lot about the effects of the pandemic on our country and on many low-income run South African households, who were struggling before the pandemic.
Read more: The cost of owning a car in 2021
Cooking oil prices have continued to grow, increasing by 30.3% from May 2020. South Africans are finding it hard and some have switched brands and even switched when it comes to the type of oil they use whilst cooking.
"The average price of a 750ml bottle of sunflower oil, for example, was R20.99 a year ago, rising to R29.39 in May." (Business Tech)
Read more: Cost of food predicted to spike
Some of the items that have seen the largest increases from May 2020 to May 2021 can be seen below (Business Tech):
- Sunflower oil: +30.3%
- Tomatoes: +29.4%
- Dried beans : +27%
- Salad dressing: +18.4%
- Beef offal: 17.6%
- Sweet potatoes : +16.9&
- Chocolate bars: +16.5%
- Stewing beef: +15.4%
- Mixed vegetables (tinned): +14.9%
- Hot cereals (porridge): +14.8%
- Flavoured milk: +14%
- Whiteners: +13.4%
- White wine: +13.2%
- Fruit juice: +12.8%
- Beetroot: +12.6%
- Instant yeast: +12.6%
- Soup powder: +12.4%
- Powdered milk: +12.3%
- Whole chicken: +12.2%
- White sugar: +11.5%
With these items featuring as top listers, the effects are seen in homes around South Africa. Spending patterns have had to change and prioritising isn't easy with having to choose between the basics. Items such as soup powder, which can be traditionally used for adding more value to meals, isn't what it used to be.
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