South African food basket costs more than SRD grant
Record fuel prices are forcing transport costs to compete with access to food for low-income households.
South Africa's R370 Social Relief of Distress grant is now R20.86 short of covering the cost of 14 basic food items tracked by Maverick Citizen. Between September and October, the price of this basic food basket rose by R2 to R390.86, driven by increases in sugar beans and beef stock.
The Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group reported that a basic food basket for a family of seven now costs R5,512.53 per month, an increase of R24 from September. This basic basket is not nutritionally complete, with a truly nutritious diet for seven people costing R6,692.25 in October.
Record high fuel prices, with petrol exceeding R30 a litre and diesel over R35, are squeezing household budgets. South African households typically spend 14% of their expenditure on transport, a figure that is higher for low-income families relying on taxis and buses.
Why it mattersLow-income South African households are struggling to afford basic food and transport due to rising prices and an insufficient social grant.