Category Archives: Inflation

Inflation rises for the first time since October

Inflation rises for the first time since October

Annual consumer inflation rose for the first time in four months, edging to 7,0% in February from 6,9% in January. Food and non-alcoholic beverages and transport were the main contributors to the inflation rate in February. The consumer price index (CPI) rose by 0,7% between January and February, representing the largest monthly increase since July   read more »


Inflation cools to 6,9%

Inflation cools to 6,9%

Annual consumer inflation slowed for the third consecutive month, decreasing to 6,9% in January from 7,2% in December. A notable fall in the price of fuel was the biggest factor behind the dip in the headline rate. Food inflation, on the other hand, continues to accelerate. The consumer price index (CPI) declined by 0,1% between   read more »


2022: A rocky road for product prices

2022: A rocky road for product prices

Consumer inflation hit its highest level in 13 years during 2022. The average inflation rate for the year (6,9%) hides the differences in timing and extent of price increases for different product groups. Transport and food & non-alcoholic beverages (NAB) had the biggest impact on overall inflation. Breaking the year down, the headline rate was   read more »


Inflation softens for a second month

Inflation softens for a second month

Annual consumer price index (CPI) inflation registered its second monthly decline in December, edging lower to 7,2% from 7,4% in November and 7,6% in October. The monthly rate in December was 0,4%.   The December release concludes the results for the calendar year. Average annual inflation for 2022 was 6,9%, higher than the 4,5% recorded   read more »


Inflation softens to 7,4%

Inflation softens to 7,4%

Consumer price inflation moderated slightly in November to 7,4% from 7,6% in October. The monthly change in the consumer price index (CPI) was 0,3% in November, slightly lower than the 0,4% recorded in October. The three categories with the highest annual inflation rates in November were transport (15,3%), food & non-alcoholic beverages (NAB) (12,5%) and   read more »


Black Friday and shifts in consumer behaviour

Black Friday and shifts in consumer behaviour

With Black Friday upon us, South African consumers have begun scouting for the latest deals. Monthly retail trade sales data show how Black Friday has shifted shopping behaviour over time. Consumers splurge during the festive season The graphic below shows the distribution of retail trade sales by month, for the year 2019. If all months   read more »


Softer fuel prices take the edge off inflation in August

Softer fuel prices take the edge off inflation in August

Annual consumer inflation dipped to 7,6% in August from 7,8% in July. The monthly increase in the consumer price index (CPI) was 0,2%, the lowest reading since January 2022 when it was also 0,2%. Fuel prices decreased by 3,8% between July and August, with petrol falling by 5,0% and diesel by 0,9%. This pushed the   read more »


Consumer inflation accelerates to 7,8%

Consumer inflation accelerates to 7,8%

Annual consumer inflation reached another 13-year high, increasing to 7,8% in July from 7,4% in June. Transport; food and non-alcoholic beverages (NAB); and housing and utilities continue to place upward pressure on the annual rate. Bread & cereals, oils & fats, fuel and electricity all made a notable impact on this month’s reading. The consumer   read more »


Consumer inflation surges to a 13-year high

Consumer inflation surges to a 13-year high

Annual consumer inflation jumped to 7,4% in June from 6,5% in May, mainly driven by rising transport and food prices. The June rate is the highest reading since May 2009 (8,0%) when the economy was facing the headwind of currency depreciation during the global financial crisis. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 1,1% between   read more »


Consumer inflation jumps to a 5-year high

Consumer inflation jumps to a 5-year high

Annual consumer price inflation quickened to 6,5% in May from 5,9% in April and March, breaking through the upper limit of the South African Reserve Bank’s monetary policy target range. This is the highest reading since January 2017 when the rate was 6,6%. The monthly change in the consumer price index (CPI) was 0,7%. The   read more »