Latest news with #StatsSA
Zawya
9 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: Local retail sales rise 5.1% year on year in April
According to data published by Stats SA, South African retail trade sales increased by 5,1% year-on-year in April 2025. Measured in real terms (constant 2019 prices), retail trade sales increased by 5,1% year-on-year in April 2025. The largest positive contributors to this increase were: - general dealers (5,3% and contributing 2,3 percentage points); and - retailers in textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods (12,5% and contributing 2,1 percentage points). Seasonally adjusted retail trade sales increased by 0,9% in April 2025 compared with March 2025. This followed month-on-month changes of -0,3% in March 2025 and -1,1% in February 2025. Retail trade sales increased by 3,4% in the three months ended April 2025 compared with the three months ended April 2024. The largest positive contributors to this increase were: - retailers in textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods (10,5% and contributing 1,6 percentage points); and - general dealers (2,8% and contributing 1,3 percentage points). Seasonally adjusted retail trade sales decreased by 0,5% in the three months ended April 2025 compared with the previous three months. The largest negative contributors to this decrease were: - general dealers (-1,2% and contributing -0,5 of a percentage point); and - retailers in food, beverages and tobacco in specialised stores (-3,3% and contributing -0,3 of a percentage point). The largest positive contributor was all 'other' retailers (2,0% and contributing 0,2 of a percentage point). All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
The Citizen
14 hours ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Partial poultry import relief welcomed, but biosecurity fears linger
The easing of the poultry ban on Brazil comes as South Africa battles hunger, with over 100 million meals lost weekly during the full ban. While food manufacturers and consumers are relieved at the announcement of the partial lifting of a ban on poultry imports from Brazil, some are worried about the country's biosecurity. Merlog Foods manager Georg Southey said the decision by the department of agriculture to partially lift the suspension of poultry imports from Brazil was a welcome and necessary move. 'The partial lifting of the import ban will be applied to all other states of Brazil, aside from the Rio Grande do Sul region, where the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, was detected in mid-May. Millions of meals lost 'Lifting this ban could not have come at a more critical time,' he said. Southey said South Africa has been losing over 100 million meals per week due to the ban, putting pressure on food affordability and security, especially as Stats SA reports that up to 30% of households in some provinces face regular hunger. ALSO READ: Chicken import ban lifted to avoid crisis Brazil's dominance in poultry supply chain 'Brazil supplies 95% of our mechanically deboned meat (MDM), a key ingredient in everyday staples like polony, Viennas and sausages. These affordable proteins are essential to school feeding schemes and low-income families. No other country could fill the gap,' he said. Southey said while he commended the department for responding swiftly to industry concerns and for engaging constructively with Brazilian authorities to implement a regionalisation protocol, he added there were clear lessons to be learned from the time it took to lift the ban. 'Much-needed shift' Southern African Agricultural Initiative CEO Francois Rossouw welcomed the move. 'It reflects a much-needed shift towards a science-based and internationally aligned approach to managing animal health risks through regionalisation. 'This decision will help stabilise the supply of affordable proteins.' NOW READ: 'Lifting Brazil chicken ban only hurts local producers,' says Sapa
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: Beef, oils, and vegetables lead rise in food costs despite stable inflation
Consumer price inflation was 2,8% in May, unchanged from 2,8% in April. The consumer price index (CPI) increased by 0,2% between April and May reveals Stats SA. Food & non-alcoholic beverages (NAB) is the only category that contributed to the monthly increase in the CPI. The monthly change in food & NAB was 1,1%, following a 1,3% rise in April. The annual rate for the category increased to 4,8% from 4,0% in April, the highest print since March 2024 when the rate was 5,1%. Beef continues to push meat inflation higher Meat, specifically beef, is a key factor behind the rise in food inflation. The annual rate for meat jumped from 3,0% in April to 4,4% in May. In April, monthly increases for beef products ranged from 6,2% to 11,9%. In May, notable monthly increases were recorded for beef steak (up 4,5%), stewing beef (up 2,5%) and beef mince (up 1,7%). A widespread outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, combined with higher feed prices, contributed to the rise in beef inflation. The fish and other seafood category recorded an annual increase of 4,9% in May, up from 4,8% in April. Hake is 9,1% and fish fingers 6,1% more expensive than a year ago. Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay The annual rate for oils & fats was 5,6%, the highest since April 2023 (10,0%). Sunflower oil recorded an annual increase of 7,6% and brick margarine 7,9%. Vegetable prices tend to be highly volatile, depending on seasonal factors. The annual rate for the category was 10,3% in May, up from a recent low of -2,6% in November 2024. The rate in May is the highest since January 2024, when it was 12,6%. High annual increases were recorded for beetroot (64,0%), lettuce (20,9%) and carrots (13,4%). Maize meal and samp continue to record high price increases. The annual rate for cereal products was 4,5% in May, with double-digit inflation registered for maize meal (14,2%) and samp (20,6%). Most wheat-based products are experiencing low inflation rates, aside from biscuits. Savoury biscuits witnessed a monthly increase of 2,2%, taking the annual rate to 12,5%. Sweet biscuits saw a monthly rise of 1,5% and an annual increase of 6,4%. Stubbornly high inflation rates for hot beverages may be subsiding. This index was unchanged between April and May. The annual increase slowed to 12,4% from 15,2% in April. This is the lowest year-on-year rate since April 2024 when it was 11,4%. The graphs below show food and beverage products that registered notable price changes in May. Other notable price changes Services provided by electricians are surveyed twice a year in May and November. These services recorded a monthly and annual increase of 7,9%. Fuel prices dropped by 1,1% between April and May, pulling the annual rate down to ‑14,9%. This is the largest annual decrease for fuel since October 2024 when the rate was -19,1%. Petrol is 15,9% and diesel 12,6% cheaper than a year ago. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
IOL News
a day ago
- Business
- IOL News
SA inflation holds at 2. 8% in May, but rise in food prices especially meat
There was a modest rise in food prices according to Stats SA inflation data released this week. Image: Independent Newspapers Archives Annual consumer price inflation in South Africa held steady at 2.8% in May 2025, unchanged from April, according to data released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) this week. While overall price pressures remain subdued, the re-emergence of food inflation is raising red flags according to an economist. Stats SA reported that the consumer price index (CPI) increased by 0.2% month-on-month in May. The main contributors to the annual inflation rate were housing and utilities (4.5%), food and non-alcoholic beverages (4.8%), and alcoholic beverages and tobacco (4.3%). Economist Casey Sprake of Anchor Capital said, 'While fuel disinflation continued to exert downward pressure, this was counterbalanced by a modest rise in food prices and a stable core inflation print.' Core inflation, which excludes food and energy, remained unchanged at 3.0% year-on-year, indicating that underlying price dynamics are still relatively contained. 'Durable goods categories, particularly furnishings and household equipment, remain deep in deflation, with price declines persisting for over 17 consecutive months,' said Sprake. Fuel prices continued to offer some relief, with a 1.1% month-on-month drop and a sharp 14.9% year-on-year decline, the largest since October 2024. Petrol is now 15.9% cheaper than a year ago, and diesel prices have dropped by 12.6%. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ But food prices surged, especially in the meat category. Stats SA noted that the food and non-alcoholic beverages category was the only major group contributing to the monthly CPI change, increasing by 1.1% month-on-month. Sprake warned, 'This uptick was driven primarily by a sharp increase in meat prices, particularly beef, where inflation rose from 3.0% in April to 4.4% in May.' The rise in food costs is largely attributed to supply-side shocks such as a widespread outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease and high feed costs. Fruit and vegetable prices also saw double-digit increases, intensifying pressure on consumer food baskets. While the inflation print supports the case for the South African Reserve Bank to maintain a steady interest rate, Sprake noted that geopolitical risks and trade uncertainties could complicate the policy path. 'We expect the Monetary Policy Committee to hold rates steady in July,' she said. Stats SA will release the next CPI data on 23 July. THE MERCURY
Daily Maverick
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Maverick
CPI steady at 2.8% in May, but sizzling meat prices heat up food inflation
The fact that for the third month on the trot CPI was below the South African Reserve Bank's 3% to 6% target range raises prospects that the bank could lower rates again when its Monetary Policy Committee next meets in late July. South Africa's consumer price index (CPI) was 2.8% on an annual basis in May, unchanged from April and the third consecutive month that the read was below the Reserve Bank's 3% to 6% target range. But on a worrying note, food inflation spiked in May to 4.4% year on year from 3.3% in April. 'Meat, specifically beef, is a key factor behind the rise in food inflation. The annual rate for meat jumped from 3.0% in April to 4.4% in May. In April, monthly increases for beef products ranged from 6.2% to 11.9%,' Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) said. 'A widespread outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, combined with higher feed prices, contributed to the rise in beef inflation.' That outbreak, which has spread to the world's largest feedlot, in Gauteng, has raised concerns about domestic supplies. But agricultural economists expect beef prices to eventually moderate as a curb on exports is predicted to boost domestic supplies. 'When an outbreak occurs, red meat exports are temporarily banned, which increases local supplies. In the past, such led to a mild decline in red meat prices. This is why we have doubts about the talk of potential sharp increases in red meat prices in the coming months,' said Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber. What this means for you If you like red meat, you have been forking out more for your braais. But beef prices are seen falling as export curbs boost domestic supplies. More broadly, inflation is slowing, which is at odds with the prevailing perception. Often, it takes a while for consumers to realise that prices are not rising at the same pace they were last year. Inflation still means that prices are rising – the opposite is deflation and that has a range of consequences, including falling profits, investment and employment. Inflationary changes Along with meat, prices for staples such as maize also remained on the boil. 'Maize meal and samp continue to record high price increases. The annual rate for cereal products was 4.5% in May, with double-digit inflation registered for maize meal (14.2%) and samp (20.6%),' Stats SA said. This will take its biggest bite out of low-income households that rely heavily on such staples. But South Africa's maize harvest this year is expected to rise significantly from last season's El Niño-scorched crop, and white maize futures have been falling – trends that should soon reflect in retail prices. One key driver of moderating CPI overall has been cooling fuel prices, which fell again in May. But the Israel-Iran conflict may rain on that parade. 'While oil supply remains unaffected, further escalation could see Iran close the Strait of Hormuz, cutting off around 20% of global supply and potentially driving prices to $120 per barrel. At that point, oil prices would be near the levels recorded when Russia invaded Ukraine, and domestic fuel prices shot up to record levels,' said Jee-A van der Linde, senior economist at Oxford Economics. More broadly, the fact that for the third month on the trot the CPI was below the South African Reserve Bank's 3% to 6% target range raises the prospects that it could lower rates again when its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) next meets in late July. Such a move would bring further relief to South African consumers who seem to be opening their wallets as inflation slows. Other data released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) on Wednesday showed that retail trade sales rose a brisk 5.1% year on year in April – a signal that there are emerging demand pressures in an economy that is barely growing. DM
