Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) has announced that the annual consumer price inflation remains unchanged at 3,2% in February, the same as January.
According to the agency, this marks the fourth consecutive month that inflation has remained above the four-and-a-half-year low of 2,8% in October.
The agency says the latest figures were influenced by several factors.
“Recreation, sport and culture, food and non-alcoholic beverages (NAB), alcoholic beverages and tobacco, and communication recorded higher annual rates in February.
Inflation cooled for several product categories, most notably personal care and miscellaneous services, health, restaurants and accommodation, furnishings, household equipment and routine maintenance and transport,” said Stats SA Director, CPI Operations, Lekau Ranoto.
In addition, Ranoto said the annual rate for food and NAB accelerated to a four-month peak in February, rising to 2,8% from 2,3% in January.
“Fruit and nuts, vegetables, hot beverages, seafood, meat and cereals recorded higher rates.
However, cold beverages, milk, dairy, eggs, oils, fats, sugar, confectionery, desserts witnessed slower price increases,” explained Ranoto
According to Ranoto, maize meal inflation reached a 17-month high and samp a 19-month high in February.
“The price index for maize meal increased by an annual 10,6% and samp by 18,7%.
In terms of average prices, a 5 kg bag of maize meal was R74,91 in February, up from R68,52 a year ago.
The price for samp (1 kg) increased to R22,86 from R19,28 over the same period.
These increases are driven by inflationary pressure in the production chain,” remarked Ranato.
Stats SA also revealed that consumer prices for meat remained stable in February, recording a monthly change of 0%.
However, inflation for hot beverages continues to accelerate.
“The annual change in the price index for hot beverages was 14,6% in February, up from 13,7% in January.
Prices rose sharply by 1,1% between January and February,” said Ranato.
Instant coffee recorded an annual rate of 19,0%, the highest in six months, while the rate for black tea was 12,4%.
Ranato said medical aid premiums increased by 10,5% this year, slightly up from 10,3% in 2024, while medical services rose by 6,1% compared with a 5,0% rise last year.
The agency also noted that fuel prices increased by 3,9% between January and February, taking the annual rate to -3,6% from -4,5% in January.
