Johannesburg is most expensive city to buy groceries - study

702’s John Perlman speaks with Sibusiso Mboto, Advocacy Coordinator at the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group (PMBEJD).

Listen below:

For a fourth consecutive month, Johannesburg remains the most expensive city to buy groceries among South Africa's three biggest metros.

According to data from PMBEJD’s household food basket, year on year, 16 of the 44 tracked basic food items became slightly cheaper or saw no increase, 28 became more expensive, while eight were hit with double-digit inflation.

As of August 2025, the average total cost of a household basket sits at R5,380.62. 

This is an R118.62 annual increase and an R62.10 decrease from July 2025.

The cost of a household basket per province:

• Johannesburg – R5,547.99 (-R108.44)
• Cape Town – R5,371.35 (-R57,76)
• Durban – R5,253.08 (-R105.01)

The transportation required to bring goods to Johannesburg plays a major role in the city's higher grocery prices.

“Joburg is not necessarily known for being a fresh produce division of the country.”

– Sibusiso Mboto, Advocacy Coordinator – PMBEJD

Find the full report on the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group website. 

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the discussion.