Food basket prices still increasing, 11,7% more than a year ago

Food basket prices for low-income consumers are still increasing while electricity and transport continue to swallow 59% of the wages of people who earn the National Minimum Wage even before the price of fuel and electricity increase again.

According to the Household Affordability Index Household Food Basket from the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group, the average cost of the basket was R4 917,42 in January, an increase of R64,25 (1,3%) from R4 853,18 in December and an increase of R516,40 (11,7%) from R4 401,02 in January 2022.

Women from low-income communities in Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town, Pietermaritzburg and Springbok collect the data for a family of four for a basket with 44 food items from shops where they normally buy food.

Food items that increased in price in January by 5% or more compared to December include potatoes, white sugar, cabbage, carrots, apples, oranges, wors, curry powder, stock cubes and soup. Increases in food prices in the food basket compared to January 2022 look even more devastating:

• maize meal increased by R43,05 (17%)
• cake flour (10kg) by R27, 93 (28%)
• Samp (5kg) by R14,30 (29%)
• Cooking oil (5L) by R44,99 (32%)
• Potatoes (10kg) by R20,48 (30%)
• Onions (10kg) by R52,90 (75%)
• Chicken feet (2kg) by R11, 86 (17%)
• Chicken livers (2kg) by R10,17 (16%)
• Carrots (5kg) by R6,09 (18%)
• Spinach (8 bunches) by R19,33 (24%)
• Cabbage (2 heads) by R5,69 (19%)
• Green peppers (2kg) by R8,14 (18%)
• Canned beans (410g x 6) by R11,81 (17%)
• Polony (2.5kg) by R7,44 (13%)
• White bread (25 loaves) by R64,39 (18%)
• Brown bread (25 loaves) by R56,21 (18%).

Most of these items are on the list of core foods, with only the price of rice (10kg) decreasing from R138,24 to R130,99, while the prices of all the other items increased.

The average cost of foods prioritised and bought first in the household food basket increased by R29,38 (1,1%) from R2 676,74 in December 2022 to R2 706,13 in January 2023, while the average cost increased by R367,30 (15,7%) from R2 338,83 in January 2022 to R2 706,13 in January 2023.

In January 2023, the price of the food basket decreased in Johannesburg and Springbok, while the price increased in Durban, Cape Town and Pietermaritzburg.

ALSO READ: December food basket cost R577,24 more than in 2021

Can people who earn National Minimum Wage afford nutritious food?

The National Minimum Wage (NMW) is R23,19 an hour and R185,52 for an 8-hour day, which means that in January 2023, with 21-working days, the maximum wage for a general worker was R3 895,92. Dispersed in a worker’s family of 4 people the NMW is reduced to R973,98, below the upper-bound poverty line of R1 417 per person per month.

Using the Pietermaritzburg figures for electricity and transport and the average figure for a minimum nutritional basket of food for a family of four, the group calculates that electricity and transport takes up 59% of a worker’s wage.

Low-income consumers only buy food after paying for transport and electricity, leaving only R1 596,42 for food and everything else. Therefore, in January 2023, the group calculates that workers’ families will underspend on food by a minimum of 52,3%.

“In this scenario there is no possibility of a worker being able to buy proper nutritious food for her family. If the R1 596,42 all went to buy food for a family of four, we are looking at R399,11 per person, which is 40% below the food poverty line of R663.”

ALSO READ: Fuel prices decreasing, but don’t expect it to translate to lower food prices just yet

Again, no money to buy nutritious food for children

In January 2023, the average cost to feed a child a basic nutritious diet was R853,04, R76,75 (9,9%) more than in January 2022. 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.

Parents also had to deal with the cost of sending their children back to school in January and although some schools are no-fee schools, parents are still required to make contributions to stationery and clothing in whole or part.

In addition, parents further have to find money to pay for omalume [small private transport), kombis or buses that can cost in the region of R400 to R800 and even higher per month, where scholar transport is not provided.