Households preparing festive meals this season are facing a steep rise in meat prices, with costs up 12% over the past year—the highest annual increase since January 2018.
The surge comes despite a slowdown in overall consumer price inflation, which dropped to 3.5% in November, surprising economists. However, inflation for food and non-alcoholic beverages rose for the first time in four months, climbing to 4.4%, up from 3.9% in October.
Beef products, in particular, have borne the brunt of rising costs, a trend linked to this year’s Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak, which disrupted the livestock sector and restricted red meat supply.
Current market prices highlight the impact of these pressures. Depending on the retailer, stewing beef costs upwards of R150 per kilogram, while steak can fetch up to R350 per kilogram, depending on the cut.
With festive tables approaching, South African households can expect to pay more for traditional meat dishes this season, even as some dairy products remain cheaper.