CIVIL society groups have forecast a grim festive season for most families, especially poorer households, amid sky- high prices of foods including chicken, eggs, potatoes and onions.
The October 2023 Household Affordability Index, by the Pietermaritz- burg Economic Justice and Dignity Group, which tracks food price data from 47 supermarkets and 32 butcheries in several cities, said South African consumers had to fork out R141.81, or 2.8% more for the average cost of the household food basket at R5 297.58 in October, from R5 155.77 in September.
Notable price increases were recorded for potatoes, rising by 40%, and eggs, which rose 19%.
Dick Forslund, from the Alternative Information and Development Centre, said that higher food prices are worrying for those in the middle class and those who are struggling to…