{"id":20031,"date":"2026-10-21T10:06:17","date_gmt":"2026-10-21T08:06:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.statssa.gov.za\/?p=20031"},"modified":"2026-10-21T10:06:17","modified_gmt":"2026-10-21T08:06:17","slug":"consumer-inflation-rises-for-a-second-straight-month","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.statssa.gov.za\/?p=20031","title":{"rendered":"Consumer inflation rises for a second straight month"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Annual consumer price index (CPI) inflation edged higher in September 2026, rising to 4,5% from 4,4% in August 2026 and 4,3% in July 2026. The index increased by 0,4% between August and September, up from 0% recorded between July and August.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Meat inflation at an 18-month low<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Annual inflation for food & non-alcoholic beverages (NAB) accelerated for a second consecutive month, climbing to 1,2% in September from 1,1% in August and 0,9% in July.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meat was a major contributor to food & NAB inflation from mid-2025 to mid-2026. Its influence has waned in recent months, as shown in the graph below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Meat inflation slowed to 0,7% in September 2026 from 1,5% in August 2026. This is the lowest annual print for meat since March 2025, when the rate was 0,4%. Beef products are cheaper than a year ago, with price decreases recorded for stewing beef (-7,2%), beef mince (-4,6%), beef steak (-4,4%) and beef offal (-0,4%). Meat products with the largest price increases include corned meat (+10,7%), bacon (+10,1%) and ham (+8,1%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cereal products recorded an eighth consecutive month of deflation, with an annual rate of -1,9% in September. However, the price index for this category rose by 0,3% month-on-month. Maize meal exemplifies this contrast, with a monthly increase of 0,8% and an annual decline of 8,6%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The graph below shows those food and beverage products that recorded the largest price changes in September.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Rising fuel prices bite<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The transport category in the inflation basket comprises fuel, vehicle purchases, vehicle maintenance, passenger transport and courier services. Transport\u2019s contribution to the headline rate began to increase in April 2026. It was a leading factor behind the rise in the cost of living in September, accounting for a third of overall inflation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The rise in fuel prices is currently a key driver of transport inflation. The fuel price index jumped by 6,2% between August and September and by 27,9% over the past 12 months. Diesel is significantly more expensive than a year ago, at 46,0%. Petrol prices rose by 25,0% over the same period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The higher fuel prices have had a knock-on effect on passenger transport and courier services. The annual rate for passenger transport has occupied double-digit territory since June, rising to 12,3% in September from 11,6% in August. Sharp annual increases were recorded for airfares (+18,6%), long-distance bus fares (+14,1%) and minibus taxi fares (+13,8%). The rate for courier services rose to 6,8% in September.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rental inflation eases in the third quarter<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Housing rentals are surveyed quarterly, and the latest results are included in the September CPI. Inflation for actual rentals declined to 3,9% in the third quarter of 2026 from 4,1% in the second quarter. Rentals for flats rose by 4,0%, townhouses by 3,9% and houses by 3,8% in the third quarter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more information, download the September 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","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Annual consumer price index (CPI) inflation edged higher in September 2026, rising to 4,5% from 4,4% in August 2026 and 4,3% in July 2026. The index increased by 0,4% between August and September, up from 0% recorded between July and August. Meat inflation at an 18-month low Annual inflation for food & non-alcoholic beverages (NAB) accelerated for a   read more »<\/a><\/p>\n

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