Despite softer food inflation for August, beef, samp & maize price still high - Stats SA

Stats SA said beef prices continue to stand out, with steep annual increases following a bitter bout of foot and mouth disease.

The agency released the latest inflation print on Wednesday.

Annual consumer price inflation eased to 3.3% in August from 3.5% in July.

While the unexpected drop is thanks to softer food and fuel inflation, some categories in the basket are still alarming.

Stats SA said that samp rose sharply by more than 14% in August 2025 compared to a year prior, while maize meal rose by more than 8%.

The foot and mouth disease outbreak in the country earlier this year also disrupted the supply chain and impacted red meat availability.

Chief director for price statistics at Stats SA, Patrick Kelly: "Beef mince is up 27.2% compared with a year ago. Stewing beef is higher by 32.3% and beef steak costs 28.6% more. That said, the monthly changes in August were far smaller, the lowest since April. This slowdown came after factory gate prices for beef carcasses fell almost 8% in July."

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