Food inflation drives up June CPI
Consumer inflation climbed in June, with the annual rate of food and non-alcoholic beverages reaching a 15-month high.
CPI moved up to 3,0 % last month, after remaining steady at 2,8% in April and May.
Stats SA's Patrick Kelly says meat, particularly beef, is currently the primary driver of food inflation.
"Beef prices spiked for a third successive month, with high annual and monthly increases recorded for stewing beef, mince and steak. Stewing beef rose by an annual 21,2%, the fastest pace on record since the current CPI series began in January 2017.
"Other unprocessed food items also saw an uptick. The annual rates for fruits & nuts and vegetables remained in double-digit territory for a second straight month. Products that witnessed sharp price increases in the 12 months to June include beetroot, lettuce and carrots. Peanuts, however, were slightly cheaper."
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Kelly says prices were lower for white rice and hot and cold cereals.
"Although maize meal continues to register high annual increases, the monthly change in June was 0,4%, the lowest since November 2024 (-0,1%).
"Several dairy products are also cheaper than a year ago. Lower prices were recorded for fresh full-cream milk, fresh low-fat milk and eggs. These decreases helped pull the milk, other dairy products & eggs index into deflationary territory, recording an annual change of -0,5%.
"Despite this decline, the category recorded a monthly rise of 0,3%, the highest since August 2024 when it was also 0,3%. Cheese products were notable contributors to this increase."
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