Recent uptick in SA food price inflation could be temporary

Published: 16/07/2020

South Africa’s food price inflation accelerated to 4.8% y/y in May 2020, from 4.6% y/y in the previous month. This uptick was mainly underpinned by relative price rises of milk, eggs and cheese; oils and fats, and fruit. Meanwhile, other products’ price inflation slowed and some remained roughly unchanged. In the case of eggs, the sharp demand at the start of the lockdown period was, in part, a key driver of the uptick in prices in May and also the previous month. In terms of oil and fats, South Africa imports a notable share, therefore the weaker ZAR/USD partially supported the prices. We were surprised by a notable uptick in fruit prices as the country has large supplies this year. And we think this could be a temporary blip..

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South Africa’s food price inflation accelerated to 4.8% y/y in May 2020, from 4.6% y/y in the previous month. This uptick was mainly underpinned by relative price rises of milk, eggs and cheese; oils and fats, and fruit. Meanwhile, other products’ price inflation slowed and some remained roughly unchanged. In the case of eggs, the sharp demand at the start of the lockdown period was, in part, a key driver of the uptick in prices in May and also the previous month. In terms of oil and fats, South Africa imports a notable share, therefore the weaker ZAR/USD partially supported the prices. We were surprised by a notable uptick in fruit prices as the country has large supplies this year. And we think this could be a temporary blip..