In recent months, consumers in South Africa have witnessed notable fluctuations in the prices of essential food items, with certain products becoming more affordable, while others remain stubbornly high. According to the Competition Commission’s Essential Food Price Monitoring Report, which tracks food prices across various stages of the value chain, the prices of canned pilchards, maize, and eggs have all come down, albeit modestly. However, one item that continues to cause concern for consumers is sunflower oil, which has maintained its highest prices since 2021.
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The Essential Food Price Monitoring Report: Tracking Food Prices
The Competition Commission of South Africa has been tracking food prices since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, as the global health crisis dramatically impacted food production, distribution, and consumption. The aim of this ongoing initiative is to help monitor food price trends, ensuring that consumers have access to critical data that informs their purchasing decisions.
The 12th edition of the Essential Food Price Monitoring Report, which was released in March 2025, provides a comprehensive overview of essential food prices in the country. This report takes into account a wide variety of foods identified by the public as significant to their everyday needs. The foods highlighted in the latest report include sunflower oil, brown bread, eggs, IQF chicken, and maize meal.
Canned Pilchards: Price Declines Amid Modest Easing
One of the significant changes noted in the latest report is the decline in the price of canned pilchards. The Competition Commission has observed a downward trend in the producer-to-retail price spread of canned pilchards in the past six months. This suggests that both producers and retailers have demonstrated restraint in their pricing, which has had a positive effect on consumers’ pockets.
Canned pilchards are an essential food item for many South African households, especially for those in LSM 1-7 categories who often rely on affordable, nutrient-rich protein sources. The decline in price for canned pilchards will bring relief to these consumers, many of whom face financial challenges in light of rising food costs.
Maize: Modest Price Decrease Amid Uncertainty
Maize, a staple food in South Africa, has also experienced some price easing, though the decline has been modest. White maize is a key ingredient in maize meal, which is used to make pap, a dish enjoyed by many South African families. Despite this, the price drops for maize have not been fully transmitted to both producers and retailers.
The Competition Commission has pointed out that higher maize prices have yet to significantly impact the retail price of maize meal. This is encouraging, as it suggests that retailers are absorbing some of the price increases rather than passing them onto consumers. However, 2024/25 maize marketing season has been challenging due to the midsummer dryness between February and March 2024. The report acknowledges that this climatic event may affect the availability of maize in the coming months, which could have an impact on prices for next season’s crops.
Eggs: Encouraging Price Drops Following Industry Recovery
Eggs, another key protein source in South African diets, have also seen a reduction in prices. The Competition Commission has indicated that egg prices are now cheaper than they were in November 2023, a clear sign of improvement in the sector.
This price reduction is particularly encouraging, as it suggests that public and private sector measures aimed at supporting egg producers have been successful. The egg industry, like many others, faced significant challenges during the pandemic, with fluctuating demand and production constraints. The recent price drop indicates that these issues may be on the mend, benefiting consumers, especially those from lower-income households.
Sunflower Oil: The Unyielding High Prices
While some food prices have decreased, the price of sunflower oil remains a significant concern. The Essential Food Price Monitoring Report revealed that sunflower oil continues to be at its highest level since 2021. This is a major issue for many South African households, particularly those in LSM 1-7 categories, where sunflower oil is a common household essential used for cooking.
The high price of sunflower oil is largely due to global factors, including the rising cost of raw materials, production limitations, and trade barriers. While the report highlights that food producers are adjusting their pricing behavior for many items, sunflower oil remains a persistent challenge.
Positive Trends for Brown Bread and Canned Pilchards
Aside from the price changes for maize, eggs, and canned pilchards, the report also highlights lower average retail prices for brown bread. In the past six months, there has been a noticeable drop in the retail prices of brown bread, a basic carbohydrate source for many households. This reduction could be seen as a positive sign that food prices are not rising uniformly and that some key staples are becoming more affordable.
What Does This Mean for South African Households?
The fluctuations in food prices are a reflection of the broader challenges that South Africa’s economy faces. In a country where food security is a key concern for millions of people, especially those in lower-income brackets, these price movements are closely monitored by both consumers and policymakers. The Competition Commission’s efforts to track essential food prices help ensure that consumers are informed about price changes, helping them make better purchasing decisions.
The modest decrease in the prices of canned pilchards, maize, and eggs will undoubtedly be welcomed by many South Africans, particularly those who are most vulnerable to rising food costs. These drops in price suggest that food producers and retailers are beginning to adjust their pricing strategies, possibly in response to changing demand, production conditions, and competition.
However, the continued high price of sunflower oil remains a concern, as it places additional pressure on households who rely on this item for cooking. While the midsummer dryness in 2024 poses challenges for the maize crop, there is hope that in the near future, food prices will stabilize or even decrease further, especially for staple goods like brown bread and eggs.
A Positive Sign Amidst Ongoing Challenges
The most recent report from the Competition Commission offers a mixed but optimistic outlook on the state of food prices in South Africa. While sunflower oil prices remain stubbornly high, the easing of prices for canned pilchards, maize, and eggs is a welcome development. This offers some hope for South African consumers, particularly those in LSM 1-7, who are most affected by the cost of living.
As the country continues to recover from the economic challenges posed by the pandemic and the effects of climate change on crop production, the Competition Commission’s role in tracking and reporting food prices remains vital in ensuring that South African consumers are not left behind.
Source: SABC News
