![\"newCPI\"](\"https:\/\/www.statssa.gov.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/newCPI.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nFalling fuel prices remain the primary factor behind the slowdown. Petrol and diesel prices declined by 5,3% between September and October, taking the annual rate for fuel to -19,1%. The price for inland 95-octane petrol in October was R21,05, the cheapest since February\u00a02022 when the price was R20,14.1<\/sup><\/p>\n The aggregate transport index decreased by an annual 5,3%, pulling overall inflation down by 0,8 of a percentage point.<\/p>\n After remaining steady for six months in the 4,5\u20134,7% range, annual inflation for food & non-alcoholic beverages (NAB) retreated to 3,6% in October. This is the lowest rate since November 2019 (3,5%). Inflation cooled for most food & NAB subcategories in October, except for sugar, sweets & desserts and cold beverages.<\/p>\n The price index for bread & cereals declined by 0,5% between September and October, dragging the annual rate down to 4,6%. A range of bread and cereal products were cheaper in October compared with September. Most notably, maize meal prices decreased by 2,0%, representing a third consecutive month of decline. Consumers also paid less on average for other key products such as spaghetti, macaroni, rice and samp.<\/p>\n Annual inflation for milk, eggs & cheese dipped steeply to 4,1% in October from 6,9% in September. The monthly rate was -0,2%, with price decreases recorded for milk products, yogurt, and cheddar cheese. Bucking the trend, prices for custard, sour milk, eggs and mageu were higher in October compared with September.<\/p>\n Sugar, sweets & desserts recorded an annual rate of 6,9%, which is significantly lower than the recent high of 18,5% recorded in February this year. The price index for the category rose by 1,0% between September and October, with chocolates, jam and white sugar recording relatively large increases.<\/p>\n Although hot beverages continued to register the highest inflation print among all food & NAB categories (at 14,1%), the rate has eased from 17,6% in July. The monthly rate was 0,8% in October, with notable price increases for instant coffee, drinking chocolate and black tea. Cappuccino sachets were slightly cheaper in the month.<\/p>\n The index for cold beverages rose by 1,1% between September and October, taking the annual rate from 5,7% to 7,0%. Prices for fizzy drinks and mineral water witnessed large monthly increases. Dairy blends and fruit juice concentrates, however, were cheaper.<\/p>\n The graphs below show food and beverage products that recorded the most significant price changes in October.<\/p>\n For more information, download the October\u00a02024 CPI statistical release and associated Excel files with indices and average prices here.<\/a> The archive is available here<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 1 <\/sup>Department of Mineral Resources and Energy. Comparing prices for petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin (IP) <\/em>(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 consumer price index (CPI) increased by 2,8% in the 12 months to October\u00a02024. This represents a sharp decline from 3,8% recorded in September. October\u2019s print is the lowest since June\u00a02020 (during the COVID-19 pandemic) when the rate was 2,2%. Falling fuel prices remain the primary factor behind the slowdown. Petrol and diesel prices declined read more »<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n