![\"storyfisrt\"](\"https:\/\/www.statssa.gov.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/storyfisrt.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nBeef prices rise sharply in April<\/strong><\/p>\n 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\u00a02023 when the rate was 1,5%.<\/p>\n 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\u00a02023 (2,5%). Meat is the largest weighted group in the food & NAB category and accounts for 5,1% of total household spending.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n No relief for coffee lovers<\/strong><\/p>\n Annual inflation for hot beverages rose to 15,2%, the highest print since September\u00a02024 (15,8%). Instant coffee continues to record the highest rate within this category, with prices increasing by 20,2% in the 12\u00a0months 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<\/sup><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The graphs below show food and beverage products that registered notable price changes in April.<\/p>\n Fuel prices continue to ease<\/strong><\/p>\n 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<\/sup> The average price for diesel eased to R21,94 from R22,80.3<\/sup><\/p>\n For more information, download the April 2025 Consumer Price Index (CPI) statistical release and associated Excel files with indices and average prices here.<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n 1 <\/sup>World Bank Commodity Price Data (The Pink Sheet), Monthly Prices (download here<\/a>).<\/p>\n 2 <\/sup>Department of Mineral Resources and Energy. Comparing prices for petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin (IP)<\/em> (click here<\/a>).<\/p>\n 3 <\/sup>Stats SA, CPI_Average Prices_All urban(202504)<\/em> Excel file.<\/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 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Headline consumer price index (CPI) inflation for April was 2,8%, slightly higher than March\u2019s 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 read more »<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n