Headline consumer price index (CPI) inflation for April was 2,8%, slightly higher than March’s 2,7%. The change in the CPI between March and April was 0,3%.

Beef prices rise sharply in April

Inflation for food & non-alcoholic beverages (NAB) rose to 4,0%, the highest annual rate since September 2024 (4,6%). The monthly change for the category was 1,3%, the largest increase since October 2023 when the rate was 1,5%.

The rise in food & NAB inflation was mainly due to higher meat prices, particularly for beef products such as stewing beef, mince and steak. Meat prices increased by 2,3% on average between March and April, the highest monthly rise since January 2023 (2,5%). Meat is the largest weighted group in the food & NAB category and accounts for 5,1% of total household spending.

The price index for oils & fats increased by 1,4% between March and April, taking the annual rate to 4,8%. Cooking oil is 6,1% and brick margarine is 5,5% more expensive than a year ago.

No relief for coffee lovers

Annual inflation for hot beverages rose to 15,2%, the highest print since September 2024 (15,8%). Instant coffee continues to record the highest rate within this category, with prices increasing by 20,2% in the 12 months to April. Coffee prices are elevated across the globe. The World Bank commodity index for coffee beans (robusta) increased by 28,1% over the same period.¹

Alcoholic beverages & tobacco rose by an annual 4,7%, higher than the 4,1% increase in March. The monthly increase for the category cooled from 1,6% in March to 1,3%. This likely reflects the continued impact of excise tax increases.

The graphs below show food and beverage products that registered notable price changes in April.

Fuel prices continue to ease

On average, fuel prices declined by 3,2% between March and April. Overall, motorists are paying 13,4% less for fuel than a year ago. The price for a litre of inland 95-octane petrol softened to R21,62 from R22,34 in March.² The average price for diesel eased to R21,94 from R22,80.³

For more information, download the April 2025 Consumer Price Index (CPI) statistical release and associated Excel files with indices and average prices here.

¹ World Bank Commodity Price Data (The Pink Sheet), Monthly Prices (download here).

² Department of Mineral Resources and Energy. Comparing prices for petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin (IP) (click here).

³ Stats SA, CPI_Average Prices_All urban(202504) Excel file.

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