Bread & Milk Price Comparison: (13–19 Oct 2025)

If you’ve done the school run with an empty lunchbox or opened the fridge to find no milk for your morning coffee, you know how important these two basics are. Bread and milk might not be fancy, but they keep most South African households running day after day.

The problem? Prices jump around every week. And if you’re living on a tight budget, guessing which store has the cheapest bread and milk isn’t just stressful, it’s expensive.

That’s why we’ve done the digging for you. This bread and milk price comparison (13–19 October 2025) pulls together the latest specials from Shoprite, Checkers, Pick n Pay, Spar, and Woolworths. Whether you’re shopping for a family of four or stretching a student allowance, this guide will help you spend smarter and save more.

Why Bread and Milk Still Matter

Bread and milk aren’t optional. They’re the first items many of us add to the trolley. Stats SA says 8 out of 10 households buy bread weekly and 7 out of 10 buy milk. For low-income families, these two products can swallow up 15–20% of the monthly grocery budget.

Think about it:

• A 700g loaf of bread feeds a family for sandwiches, toast, and quick dinners for 3–4 days.

• A 1L carton of milk covers cereals, teas, coffees, and porridge for a week.

The catch? Prices have been creeping up for years. In 2017, bread was about R13 a loaf. Now it’s pushing R22–R24. Milk used to hover around R16 a litre, now it’s closer to R20–R22. Even though food inflation has slowed to 3.6% this October, bread has gone up 3.7% year-on-year thanks to wheat imports, while milk is holding steady.

For families counting every rand, those small changes add up quickly.

Bread Prices This Week (13–19 October)

Here’s how bread stacks up across South Africa’s biggest supermarkets. We’ve focused on the everyday 700g white and brown loaves most people buy.

Takeaway: If you want the absolute cheapest bread, Shoprite’s R17.99 loaf wins. But if you’re already a Pick n Pay shopper, the No Name special at R18.99 plus loyalty points makes sense. And Woolies fans should plan their run on Tuesdays only to grab bread for half-price.

Milk Prices This Week (13–19 October)

Milk is a little more predictable, but the right store still saves you a few rand.

Takeaway: Shoprite is unbeatable this week at R16.99 per litre. If you want extras like delivery, Checkers at R17.49 is solid. For premium buyers, Woolies grass-fed milk costs more but comes with WRewards perks.

What’s Driving Prices Right Now

• Bread: South Africa imports most of its wheat, so global prices drive local increases. Specials this week are masking higher long-term costs.

• Milk: Lower feed prices and strong local production are keeping milk stable, though exports are growing.

• Forecast: Expect prices to rise 1–2% in November as festive shopping ramps up.

Regional Price Differences

Prices aren’t the same everywhere. Here’s how things look across the provinces:

In Soweto and other townships, Shoprite’s specials dominate. In rural areas, Spar branches often undercut metro prices.

10 Tips to Save More on Bread and Milk

1. Get loyalty cards: Shoprite Xtra, PnP Smart Shopper, Spar Rewards, Woolworths WRewards.

2. Download the apps: Checkers Sixty60 and PnP ASAP! often run flash discounts.

3. Bulk buy: Shoprite’s 6L milk pack saves R24.

4. Shop mid-week: Woolies Tuesdays, PnP Thursdays.

5. Mix stores: Bread from Shoprite, milk from Checkers.

6. Go housebrand: Usually 15–20% cheaper, quality is similar.

7. Freeze bread: Lasts 2 months in the freezer.

8. Buy UHT milk: Cheaper and long-lasting.

9. Join co-ops: Township groups often do bulk buys.

10. Track your spending: Apps like 22seven help keep your budget on track.

Sample R250 Weekly Basket

For a family of four:

• Bread (4 loaves): R72

• Milk (7 litres): R120

• Eggs (12): R25

• Maize meal (5kg): R25

• Total = R242

That’s the basics covered, with a little left over for fresh produce.

FAQs

Which supermarket has the cheapest bread this week?
Shoprite Everyday White at R17.99.

Where’s milk cheapest in SA right now?
Shoprite Everyday Full-Cream at R16.99 per litre.

How do I save more on groceries?
Use loyalty cards, shop mid-week, and mix-and-match stores for the best prices.

Check also: Shoprite Returns Policy Explained — How to Return Items Hassle-Free

If you’re shopping this week, the winners are clear:

• Shoprite for the cheapest bread and milk combo.

• Pick n Pay for loyalty rewards.

• Woolworths for premium bread on Tuesdays.

The trick is planning ahead. Don’t walk into the store blind, check specials, use your loyalty cards, and make mid-week shopping work for you. That way, your trolley stays full, your fridge stocked, and your wallet a little heavier.