Stats SA: Food inflation softens for 5th consecutive month

Statistics SA (Stats SA) said food inflation had softened for a fifth straight month, cooling from 9.9% percent in July to 8% in August.

Despite the lower food prices, annual consumer inflation still ticked up marginally.

Except for fruit, all food and non-alcoholic beverages recorded lower annual rates in August compared to July.

This includes white and brown bread, maize meal, and cereals.

The cost of rice weighed the basket down, with prices jumping by 3.4% month on month.

General meat inflation was also softer, with the annual rate declining by 1.5% points between July and August.

Stats SA’s Patrick Kelly said the milk, eggs, and cheese category followed the same script.

“The annual rate for milk, eggs, and cheese eased from 14.4% in July to 11.9%. A number of products registered lower prices in August compared with July, including fresh full-cream milk, eggs, and cheddar cheese.”

Despite the reprieve, consumers with a sweet tooth still paid a high price in August as prices for condensed milk, custard, and ice cream continued to rise.

-EWN

In other news – Watch: Liesl Laurie’s message to those asking about her pregnancy

Well-known South African model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss South Africa 2015, Liesl Laurie slams people who make inappropriate comments on her social media posts.

Taking to Instagram, the former Miss South Africa addressed people and older family relatives who are fond of asking about pregnancy or when she will be having kids. Liesl states that she will block people who drop such comments, and further urged her followers to block such people in her comments. Read More