Beetroot, meat and housing rentals push CPI up to 3.4%

South Africa’s annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) ticked up to 3.4% in September, from 3.3% the previous month, driven mainly by rising food and housing costs, according to Stats SA.  

While overall food inflation eased slightly to 4.5%, certain items showed dramatic year-on-year increases. 

Topping the list? Beetroot, which surged by 39.9% – followed closely by beef products and pumpkin.

"Vegetables are generally very volatile. We do see vegetables and fruit having these very big seasonal changes in price," noted Patrick Kelly, Chief Director of Price Statistics at Stats SA.

Meat inflation remains stubbornly high, fuelled by lingering effects of foot-and-mouth disease and other supply issues, with cuts like stewing beef and mince showing double-digit annual increases.

Meanwhile, housing costs are also climbing. 

Kelly said townhouse rentals rose by 5.4%, well above the average increase of 3.2%.

"Housing rents actually make up the largest single component of the CPI."

To listen to Patrick Kelly in conversation with 702 and CapeTalk's Mandy Wiener, click the audio below: