Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) has announced that the country’s annual inflation rate remained unchanged at 2.8% in May 2025, despite a notable spike in food prices, largely driven by increases in meat and vegetable costs.
The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, released on Wednesday, 18 June, indicates that food and non-alcoholic beverages were the main contributors to inflation last month, registering a 1.1% month-on-month increase.
Stats SA’s Patrick Kelly said the price of beef steak rose by 4.5% in May due to a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, which pushed overall meat prices higher. Maize meal and vegetables also recorded sharp increases, with beetroot prices soaring by 64% year-on-year.
“Food and non-alcoholic beverages are the only category that contributed to the monthly increase in the CPI,” said Kelly.
“The annual rate for this category rose to 4.8% from 4.0% in April, the highest since March 2024 when it was 5.1%.”
However, a decline in fuel prices helped to offset some of the pressure from rising food costs. Between April and May, fuel prices dropped by 1.1%, resulting in an annual fuel deflation rate of 14.9%.
“Fuel prices dropped by 1,1% between April and May, pulling the annual rate down to 14,9%. This is the largest annual decrease for fuel since October 2024 when the rate was -19,1%. Petrol is 15,9% and diesel 12,6% cheaper than a year ago,” said Kelly.
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