The annual rate for food & non-alcoholic beverages (NAB) were 2,7% lower in March 2025, according to Statistics South Africa (StatsSA).
In addition, vegetables, fruits & nuts, cereal products, meat and fish registered higher annual rates.
Lower rates were recorded for oils & fats; milk, other dairy products & eggs; cold beverages; and sugar, confectionery and desserts.
Inflation for cereal products accelerated to 4,3% in March from 3,9% in February.
Maize meal remains a key driver in this category, with its annual rate accelerating to 13,1% from 10,6%, however, monthly increases for maize meal were reportedly at their lowest this year- from 4,8% in January to 2,4% in February and 1,4% in March.
Hot beverages have had double-digits, now at 14,4%, since August 2022. Instant coffee is 18,8% and black tea is 12,8% more expensive than it was last year.
Alcoholic beverages also added pressure, with prices rising on average by 2,1% between February and March. This took the annual rate to 4,7% from 4,1% in February. Annual increases recorded for wine are an increase of up to 5,3%, beer up by 4,4% and spirits & liqueurs, up 4,3%.
Picture: Saffa Trading