Is a braai still affordable since South Africa's average braai basket costs R1182?
While food inflation has decreased, the prices of three quintessential braai ingredients have increased...
Photo: Unsplash/Sincerely Media
Lester Kiewit speaks to Mervyn Abrahams, Programme coordinator at the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group.
Heritage Day to some means lighting up a fire and putting a tjoppie or five on the braai.
But are some people abandoning this tradition because it's simply too expensive?
Considering the price of meats, the sides and of course, the braaibroodjies - that braai basket might just add up to a bit too much for just one meal and most South Africans would rather use those additions for other needs like petrol or electricity.
"Food prices in general has decreased for the past few months... but for certain individual products, prices remain high" and fluctuates monthly due to seasonality and import rates.
According to data from the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group, consumers might have noticed that the quintessential ingredient prices of a traditional braai have not decreased in price compared to August 2023, notes Abrahams:
- wors prices increased from R137 for a 2kg to R140
- tomatoes (for those braaibroodjies) increased by R4
- green pepper (classic ingredient for beans and toss salad) increased by R8
"If we look at foods you would use for a classic South African braai, it would cost around R1182... so while prices have decreased, is it affordable for most South Africans?"
- Mervyn Abrahams, Programme Coordinator - Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group
"Your braai this year should cost you about four percent more this year than it did a year ago. So, prices have come down but the question is affordability..."
- Mervyn Abrahams, Programme Coordinator - Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the full conversation.