Food, fuel price hikes to hit consumers hard in 2017: Economist
An economist says consumers are likely to feel the pinch in the new year - with the risk of higher inflation over January and February.
Mike Schussler's been speaking to Newswatch - following yesterday's announcement of a significant increase in the price of fuel.
Motorists will have to fork out between 48 and 50-cents more for a litre of petrol, while diesel's also going up by 37 and 39-cents a litre.
ALSO READ: LISTEN: Increasing food prices hurting consumers' pockets
Schussler says fuel costs are likely to jump again in February.
He says in terms of food prices, there should be some good news - with rain expected in the coming months.
"There's no doubt that South African consumers are going to be very much under pressure in the first part of next year. But things are looking on the positive for the agriculture and mining side of things for the SA the economy," he said.