South Africa's food price inflation eases

Loading player...
We see a constructive picture of South Africa's food price inflation, easing at 5.2% in August 2025, from 5.5% in the previous months. South Africa has an abundant harvest of grains, fruits, and various vegetables, and the benefits of this are starting to show in prices. It is these products that were the major drivers of the moderation in price inflation.

A key product that many are watching is meat, particularly beef (and red meat products), which has remained elevated, although slaughtering has resumed in major feedlots across the country. The issue is that South Africa is experiencing a foot and mouth disease outbreak.

Initially, the panic buying, not necessarily a shortage of product, was the main driver of meat prices. This is when the country's largest feedlot announced the cases in its facility. This led to concerns about red meat supplies and some panic buying, thus pushing up prices. The slaughtering has now resumed in the major feedlots, although foot and mouth remains a profound challenge in the country.

Listen to the podcast for more information.

Richard Humphries and Sam Mkokeli produce this podcast.
17 Sep 2025 English South Africa Investing · Food

Other recent episodes

Zambia has its largest maize harvest on record

Zambia has had an exceptional maize production season. The country is expecting its largest maize crop on record, which will provide an essential cushion ahead of the challenging production season in the upcoming 2026-27 summer. Over the past few months, I have seen various optimistic statements from the country’s Ministry…
17 Aug 7 min

The impact of snowfall on South Africa's agriculture

I am in Pretoria, and we obviously don’t have snowfall here. But I am following the snowfall issue in parts of the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State, amongst other regions of South Africa. From an agricultural perspective, I am more concerned about its impact on livestock – cattle,…
12 Aug 4 min

A mild rise in tariffs in the US and its impact on SA agriculture

The U.S. government has raised tariffs against several countries under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, on the Acts, Policies, and Practices of 60 Economies Related to the Failure of Each Economy to Impose and Effectively Enforce a Prohibition on the Importation of Goods Produced with Forced Labour[1]…
24 Jul 5 min