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<\/a><\/p>\nFood & 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\u00a02024 when the rate was 5,1%.<\/p>\n
Beef continues to push meat inflation higher<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The fish & 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.<\/p>\n The annual rate for oils & fats was 5,6%, the highest since April\u00a02023 (10,0%). Sunflower oil recorded an annual increase of 7,6% and brick margarine 7,9%.<\/p>\n 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\u00a02024. The rate in May is the highest since January\u00a02024, when it was 12,6%. High annual increases were recorded for beetroot (64,0%), lettuce (20,9%) and carrots (13,4%).<\/p>\n 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%).<\/p>\n 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%.<\/p>\n 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\u00a02024 when it was 11,4%.<\/p>\n The graphs below show food and beverage products that registered notable price changes in May.<\/p>\n Other notable price changes <\/strong><\/p>\n Services provided by electricians are surveyed twice a year in May and November. These services recorded a monthly and annual increase of 7,9%.<\/p>\n Fuel prices dropped by 1,1% between April and May, pulling the annual rate down to \u201114,9%. This is the largest annual decrease for fuel since October\u00a02024 when the rate was -19,1%. Petrol is 15,9% and diesel 12,6% cheaper than a year ago.<\/p>\n For more information, download the May\u00a02025 Consumer Price Index (CPI) statistical release and associated Excel files with indices and average prices 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":" 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. 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 read more »<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n