{"id":19628,"date":"2026-06-17T10:33:23","date_gmt":"2026-06-17T08:33:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.statssa.gov.za\/?p=19628"},"modified":"2026-06-17T10:33:23","modified_gmt":"2026-06-17T08:33:23","slug":"inflation-rises-to-45-in-may-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.statssa.gov.za\/?p=19628","title":{"rendered":"Inflation rises to 4,5% in May 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Consumer inflation jumped to 4,5% in May from 4,0% in April. This is the highest rate since July 2024, when it was 4,6%. The monthly change in the consumer price index (CPI) was 0,7% in May.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The inflation surge was largely driven by increases in fuel prices. The fuel index recorded a second large monthly increase, leaping by 14,3% to reach an annual rise of 28,7%. Over the past 12 months, prices for petrol increased by 24,8% and diesel by 53,8%. The impact of higher fuel prices on overall inflation can be seen by looking at the \u2018CPI excluding fuel\u2019 index. The annual change in this index was 3,7% in May, the same as the previous month. The rate has moved in a narrow range between 3,5% and 3,8% over the past 12 months. The monthly increase was 0,2% in May.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inflation for food and non-alcoholic beverages (NAB) continues to subside, declining to 1,9% from 2,9% in April. This is down from the peak of 5,7% recorded in July 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Annual deflation for cereal products deepened, dropping to -1,4% from -1,2% in April. Maize meal is 4,4% and brown bread 0,3% cheaper than a year ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meat inflation cooled in May, recording an annual increase of 7,3% compared with April\u2019s 9,4%. The monthly rate was -0,8%. Stewing beef prices dropped by 3,0% and beef mince by 2,4% between April and May. The annual increase for these two products was 2,8% and 10,6% respectively. Inflation for individual quick frozen (IQF) portions also decelerated, declining to 6,7% in May from 7,3% in April.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prices for fruits & nuts and vegetables are lower than a year ago at -8,5% and -6,0% respectively. Both categories have been in deflationary territory since October 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The annual rate for the milk, other dairy products & eggs category increased to 0,9% from 0,1% in April. Several products recorded high monthly increases, including full cream long-life milk, up by 1,7% (2,2% year-on-year); low fat fresh milk, higher by 1,5% (3,5% year-on-year); and cheddar cheese, up by 1,5% (6,2% year-on-year).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Annual Inflation for the \u2018other food\u2019 category rose to 4,9% from 4,1% in April. Salad dressing rose by 2,3% between April and May and by 10,0% over the past 12 months. Mayonnaise prices witnessed a monthly increase of 2,2% and an annual rise of 8,1%. Salt jumped by 2,5% month-on-month and 9,3% year-on-year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Non-alcoholic beverages also experienced higher inflation rates, increasing to 4,9% from 4,6% in April. The annual rate for Ceylon (black) tea rose to 8,3% from 7,8% in April. Rooibos tea also increased to 7,5% from 5,2%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The graph below shows the food and beverage products that recorded the sharpest price increases and decreases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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For more information, download the May 2026 CPI statistical release and associated Excel files with indices and average prices here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similar articles are available on the Stats SA website and can be accessed here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a monthly overview of economic indicators and infographics, catch the latest edition of the Stats Biz newsletter here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Consumer inflation jumped to 4,5% in May from 4,0% in April. This is the highest rate since July 2024, when it was 4,6%. The monthly change in the consumer price index (CPI) was 0,7% in May. The inflation surge was largely driven by increases in fuel prices. The fuel index recorded a second large monthly increase,   read more »<\/a><\/p>\n

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