THE cost of putting food on the table has continued to climb in April 2025, according to the latest Household Affordability Index. The index, which monitors the prices of 44 essential food items across 79 retail outlets in South Africa’s major urban centres, recorded a noticeable monthly increase in grocery bills for low-income households.

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The average cost of the household food basket rose by R90.94 (1.7%) in April, bringing the total to R5420.30. This represents a year-on-year increase of R83.99 (1.6%) from April 2024.

Conducted by the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group (PMBEJD), the survey spans areas in the Durban region such as KwaMashu, Umlazi, Isipingo, Durban CBD, Hammarsdale and Pinetown.

In April, 24 of the 44 tracked items saw price hikes. The sharpest increases were recorded in vegetables and fruit, with tomatoes soaring by 26%, carrots by 20%, onions by 11%, and oranges by 18%. Other notable increases included beef (7%), fish (7%), spinach (7%), cabbage (6%), and potatoes (6%).

Staples such as maize meal, full cream milk, beef tripe, brown bread and apricot jam also edged up by at least 2%. Meanwhile, some foods saw price relief. Butternut dropped by 7% and apples by 6%. Decreases were also noted in rice (-4%), frozen chicken portions (-3%), sugar beans (-3%), and margarine (-2%).

The findings underscore the continued financial pressure on working-class households as food inflation, driven by supply chain challenges and seasonal shifts, remains a key concern.

As food prices continue to rise across South Africa, families are being forced to make tough choices, even those who consider themselves relatively privileged.

Meal strategy

“We’ve had to rethink everything,” said Cathryn Aylett of Durban North.

The mother of four from a household of six, says her family has completely overhauled how they shop, cook, and eat in response to the escalating cost of groceries.

“We used to shop weekly without thinking too much about it. We’d go to different stores for different needs: Woolworths for fresh produce, Checkers for general groceries, and Makro for bulk buys and cleaning supplies. Now, we shop at just one store per week and plan everything around specials. I research prices, compare products, and try to use up everything we have before buying anything new,” said Aylett.

Aylett, whose family spends an average of R7500 a month on groceries (including stockpiling and bulk cooking), said the changes have been dramatic even if they haven’t yet had to cut essential staples.

“We buy far less meat and cheese, and we’ve stopped buying what could be seen as luxuries — like multiple variants of one item. Where we used to have two types of cheese or a few different jams, now it’s just one of each. Premium sauces or treats are a thing of the past,” she said.

Certain snack foods, such as chips, crackers, and biscuits, have also been phased out. Aylett now makes many of these items from scratch to save money and reduce waste.

Meal planning has become central to how the family keeps their food budget under control. Aylett bulk cooks and freezes meals every two months, a system she said is significantly cheaper than daily cooking, and always looks for deals on staple items.

“We try to eat as cleanly as possible, mostly unprocessed foods and a lot of fruit and vegetables, but that’s not cheap. It’s frustrating that ultra-processed foods are so much more affordable than fresh, whole ingredients.”

Student sacrifices
First-year human resources student Annabelle Msomi said she has had to cut back on luxuries such as her weekly coffee buying ritual. She’s also unable to purchase as much meat as she used to as her budget doesn’t allow for it anymore.

Msomi spends R1500 per month on food and that’s if she shops deals and specials.

“Sometimes, I am able to bring it down to about R1000 but that just depends on what’s on special at the time. Another frustration for me is not being able to afford the fruit that I enjoy so I have to find substitutes or leave it out altogether,” she said.

“Meat is far too expensive for me. I stick to chicken as it’s affordable for me and so I can afford toiletries which are also not cheap,” she said.

Overall, Msomi’s strategy of prioritising what she urgently needs to what can wait, is how she is able to stretch her budget over a month.

Pensioner’s budget
For 65-year-old pensioner Queen Moreng, living off a State pension means she has to also rely on family and outreach programmes to ensure she has food to last her an entire month.

“I am grateful to be living in a country where the elderly are given a monthly pension but it only lasts me a day. Once I pay utilities and buy food, I am left with nothing. Luckily I receive a food hamper from the church and family bring fruit and small amounts of groceries when they visit now and then or else I don’t know how I will manage,” she said.

Moreng said she is thankfully in good health and not on any chronic medication, but as one ages dietary requirements change. Attempting to cook wholesome, healthy and balanced meals is most often impossible for her.

“I used to eat red meat twice a week but now have to opt for chicken which is also slowly becoming expensive. Because I have a sensitive stomach I have to have plain yogurt for probiotics which thankfully a family member purchases for me. I am shocked at the price of groceries each time I shop. Tinned fish, which used to be a budget meal, is now over R30 a can. Who can afford that?” she asked.

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