Cheapest Staples This Week (5–12 Oct): Price Check Across Major Stores

Food prices in South Africa continue to fluctuate week by week, and with living costs steadily rising, many households are keeping a close eye on grocery prices. Staples like maize meal, rice, sugar, and cooking oil form the backbone of most shopping lists, and even small price differences can add up over the course of a month.

This weekly Staple Price Check (5–12 October 2025) provides a clear comparison of prices across South Africa’s biggest supermarkets: Shoprite, Pick n Pay, Checkers, Spar, Boxer, and Game. The goal is to help families, students, and budget-conscious shoppers identify where to find the best value for essential groceries.

By focusing on per kilogram or litre pricing, this guide helps consumers make practical decisions and plan their grocery spending efficiently. All data is sourced from official retailer websites, in-store listings, and online catalogues updated as of 5 October 2025.

Regular price tracking like this not only highlights the cheapest options but also empowers households to shop strategically, stretching every rand further while staying nourished and prepared.

Maize Meal Prices (5–12 October 2025)

Maize meal is one of South Africa’s most widely consumed staples, forming the basis of meals for millions of households. The price depends heavily on the brand, packaging size, and store promotions. This week’s analysis focuses on 5 kg bags of popular brands: Ace, White Star, and Iwisa.

Cheapest Overall: Boxer (Iwisa 5 kg – R67.49)

Boxer offers the lowest maize meal price this week, narrowly beating Shoprite’s R68.99 for the same brand. White Star is consistently slightly more expensive, while Pick n Pay and Checkers sit in the midrange. For households purchasing maize meal weekly, this difference can save a few rands per month, adding up over time.

Average Price per kg: R13.80

Tip: Buying maize meal in larger packs (10 kg or more) can often reduce the cost per kilogram further. If storage is not an issue, bulk purchases are recommended for longer-term savings.

Rice Prices (5–12 October 2025)

Rice is a pantry essential in many South African homes, providing a versatile, filling, and affordable source of carbohydrates. This week’s comparison focuses on 10 kg bags of leading brands: Tastic, Spekko, and Allsome Rice.

Cheapest Overall: Boxer (Allsome 10 kg – R221.99)

Boxer once again claims the lowest rice price. Shoprite remains competitive, making it a good option for smaller purchases or where Boxer stores are not nearby. Spar is generally higher, reflecting its positioning as a premium convenience retailer in many areas.

Average Price per kg: R22.30

Consumer Insight: Buying rice in bulk is particularly beneficial for students or large families. A 10 kg bag can last an average household one to two months, reducing the need for frequent trips and saving money in the long run.

Cooking Oil Prices (5–12 October 2025)

Cooking oil is a staple for South African kitchens, essential for frying, baking, and cooking daily meals. Prices have fluctuated in 2025 due to global supply pressures on sunflower and soybean oils. This week’s data focuses on 2-litre bottles, including brands like Sunfoil, Excella, and Ritebrand.

Cheapest Overall: Boxer (Ritebrand 2 L – R88.99)

Boxer again offers the best price. Shoprite and Game are close competitors, while Spar remains higher. For households that cook frequently, monitoring oil prices weekly is crucial, as small fluctuations can affect monthly grocery budgets.

Average Price per litre: R45.00

Tip: Many stores offer larger 5L bottles at a reduced per-litre cost. For families cooking daily, investing in a larger bottle can save around 15–20% compared to buying two smaller bottles.

Sugar Prices (5–12 October 2025)

Sugar remains a key ingredient for many South African households, used in baking, tea, coffee, and sauces. This week’s price check focuses on 2.5 kg packs of Huletts White Sugar and Selati Brown Sugar.

Cheapest Overall: Boxer (Selati 2.5 kg – R65.99)

Boxer once again provides the best value. Shoprite and Game are reasonable alternatives, especially when Boxer stores are not convenient. Buying in bulk or during weekly promotions can further reduce costs.

Average Price per kg: R27.00

Consumer Insight: For households that consume sugar daily, keeping track of weekly promotions or combo deals (e.g., sugar + maize meal) can help save R50–R100 per month on basic staples.

Summary: Cheapest Staples This Week (5–12 Oct 2025)

Overall Winner: Boxer Superstores

Boxer clearly offers the lowest combined basket total across all staples for this week. Its pricing strategy continues to make it a favourite for budget-conscious households.

Smart Shopping Tips for South Africans

With inflation affecting household budgets, these practical tips can help consumers save:

1. Use Loyalty Cards: Shoprite Xtra Savings, Pick n Pay Smart Shopper, and Checkers Xtra Savings often provide instant discounts.

2. Buy in Bulk: Larger packs of maize meal, rice, or sugar save money per kilogram.

3. Check Weekly Flyers: Each retailer updates promotions every Monday — staying informed can save a lot.

4. Compare Per-Kilogram Prices: Always check unit prices, not just pack price.

5. Shop Early in the Week: Shelves are better stocked and deals more plentiful Tuesday–Thursday.

6. Use Digital Tools: Price comparison apps and retailer websites help find real-time deals.

7. Look for Combo Promotions: Combo packs often offer significant discounts.

8. Consider Store Brands: Ritebrand or PnP No Name are often 10–20% cheaper than big-name brands.

Why Staple Price Tracking Matters

Stats SA’s 2025 CPI reports show food inflation above 6%, with staples like maize meal, rice, and cooking oil making up 30% of the average household food basket.

Weekly price tracking allows consumers to:

• Anticipate trends

• Budget effectively

• Identify the best-value stores

Consistently comparing prices empowers households to shop strategically, mitigating the impact of inflation.

Read more: Boxer Competitions Available for 3–9 October 2025

How Much Can You Save This Week?

Buying the cheapest options from this week’s list:

Total Basket Cost: R444.46

Compared to midrange stores like Pick n Pay or Checkers, this basket saves roughly R30–R50, which compounds to significant savings for households shopping weekly.

Disclaimer

Prices are sourced from retailer websites and verified as of 5 October 2025. They may vary by location and are subject to change. Always confirm before purchasing.

Also check: Household Food Basket Stable, But Rising Meat Prices Straining South African Budgets

Staying on top of staple food prices is more important than ever for South African households, especially as inflation continues to affect grocery bills. This week’s price check (5–12 October 2025) shows that Boxer consistently offers the lowest prices across essential items like maize meal, rice, cooking oil, and sugar, making it the go-to store for budget-conscious shoppers.