Household Affordability Index

In February 2023, the Child Support Grant of R480 is 28% below the Food Poverty Line of R663, and 44% below the average cost to feed a child a basic nutritious diet (R864,06).

This month we have included A Comment on the Eskom hike and National Minimum Wage which shows how the Eskom hike cuts government’s National Minimum Wage proposed offer in half.

In November 2022, food baskets decreased in Cape Town and Pietermaritzburg. Food baskets increased in Joburg, Durban, and Springbok.

The average cost of the Household Food Basket decreased by R18,03 (-0,4%), from R4805,86 in September 2022 to R4787,83 in October 2022.

For the past three months fuel prices and global food commodity prices have come down, yet we do not see a corresponding drop in food prices at the retail level.

The August 2022 Household Affordability Index shows that the average cost of the Household Food Basket is R4775,59.

The July 2022 Household Affordability Index shows that the average cost of the Household Food Basket is R4748,87.

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

South African workers, mostly remunerated on extremely low wages, are under enormous stress.

The April 2022 Household Affordability Index, which tracks food price data from 44 supermarkets and 30 butcheries.