![\"cpi1\"](\"https:\/\/www.statssa.gov.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/cpi1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThe change in the CPI between July 2021 and August 2021 was 0,4%.<\/p>\n
Transport inflation accelerates on the back of vehicle and fuel prices<\/strong><\/p>\n Transport was the most significant contributor to both the annual and monthly CPI readings in August, increasing by 9,9% annually and 2,2% monthly. Vehicle prices increased at a rate higher than overall inflation across all 16 months from May 2020 to August 2021. In contrast, vehicle inflation mostly lagged overall inflation during 2018 and 2019.<\/p>\n Petrol prices recorded all-time highs in August 2021, with the price of inland 95-octane petrol, for example, reaching R18,30 per litre.1<\/sup> Fuel prices increased by 4,9% between July and August and by 19,6% over the last 12 months.<\/p>\n Public transport fares registered an increase of 1,5% between July and August, underpinned by a rise in airfares (up 21,6%). The annual increase for public transport was 5,3%.<\/p>\n Monthly food inflation remains unchanged for a third month<\/strong><\/p>\n The food & NAB (non-alcoholic beverages) product group was the second largest contributor to the annual inflation rate in August, recording an increase of 6,9%. This is the highest level of food inflation since June 2017 when it was also 6,9%.<\/p>\n However, there are signs that food inflation may have begun to slow. The monthly increase in August 2021 was 0,2% \u2013 identical to the readings for both July and June. By comparison, the average monthly increase over the past 12 months was 0,6%. Of the 11 food\/NAB categories, four registered monthly decreases in August, one showed no change, and 6 recorded increases.<\/p>\n Prices for bread and cereal products declined by 0,5% from July 2021. Maize meal prices decreased by 1,2% and white bread by 1,1%. The annual increase for this category was 3,5%.<\/p>\n Meat inflation continues to accelerate, reaching 10,7% in August. This is the highest level since February 2018 when the rate was 11,4%. IQF (individually quick frozen) chicken products were 1,6% more expensive in August compared with July, while minced beef was 0,4% cheaper.<\/p>\n Annual inflation for oils & fats registered at 21,3% in August, slightly down from 22,4% in July. The index did not change between July and August. Cooking oil prices dipped by 0,4% and margarine by 0,8% month-on-month.<\/p>\n For more information, download the August 2021 Consumer Price Index (CPI) release here.<\/a><\/p>\n 1 <\/sup>Department of Mineral Resources and Energy. Comparing prices for petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin (IP) (click here<\/a>).<\/p>\n Similar articles are available on the Stats SA website and can be accessed here<\/a>.<\/p>\n For a monthly overview of economic indicators and infographics, catch the latest edition of the Stats Biz newsletter here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The annual change in the consumer price index (CPI) in August was 4,9%. This was slightly higher than July\u2019s increase of 4,6% and identical to the reading in June. This is the fourth consecutive month where the annual increase is higher than the midpoint (4,5%) of the South African Reserve Bank\u2019s monetary policy target range. read more »<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n