6 May 2026 | 13:10 CAT
1-minute read

Johannesburg has remained the most expensive metro in South Africa for basic groceries for a tenth consecutive month, with further price increases expected in the coming months due to rising fuel and logistics costs.

According to the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group, Durban has overtaken Cape Town as the second most expensive metro for the third consecutive month.

Programme coordinator Mervyn Abrahams explained that the group tracks the cost of a household food basket by monitoring 44 basic items, including bread, milk, maize meal, rice, cooking oil, chicken portions and vegetables. Data is collected by women in major metro areas who record prices in stores during the first week of each month.

The group’s latest data shows a sharp increase in April, with the basket cost rising by R123 — a 2,3% increase — bringing the total to R5 452.

Abrahams said price differences across provinces are largely driven by logistics and transport costs, as most retailers rely on centralised distribution systems. However, he noted that fluctuations are common and not always easily explained, with prices often balancing out over time.

In April, Johannesburg’s basket was just over R200 more expensive than Durban’s, while Durban was approximately R300 more expensive than Cape Town.

Outside the major metros, the Northern Cape town of Springbok recorded the highest food basket cost at R5 863, largely due to its distance from major production and distribution centres. By contrast, Pietermaritzburg had the lowest basket at R5 251, though Abrahams noted that such rankings can shift month to month.

He attributed the recent spike primarily to rising fuel costs linked to global developments, including the US-Israel war on Iran, which has impacted transport and distribution.

“Thirty out of 44 food items increased this month, including tomatoes, rice, cooking oil, chicken portions and milk,” Abrahams said, adding that the full impact of higher production and agricultural costs has yet to filter through.

He warned that further increases are likely over the next three months as rising input costs — including fuel, fertiliser and farming expenses — begin to affect food prices more broadly.

Listen to the full interview with Mervyn Abrahams on Sabaahul Muslim, presented by Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat.