The November 2024 Household Affordability Index, released yesterday, showed a steady increase in the price of essential groceries, putting further strain on already stretched household budgets.
Mervyn Abrahams, the Programme Coordinator of the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice & Dignity Group, said: “Data from November indicates that while the household food basket is subdued, due mostly to lower vegetable prices, the basket on average continues to increase, albeit slowly.
“At a total average cost of R5 361.04, the household food basket is still unaffordable for many, and with the additional volumes required to be bought, and the competition with Christmas clothes, and the January school opening, this period will be a hard one for most South African families,” Abrahams added.
Month-on-month the average cost of the Household Food Basket increased by R12.39…