Stats SA has confirmed that annual consumer price inflation was 3.2% in February, unchanged from January.
This marks the fourth consecutive month that inflation has remained above the four-and-a-half-year low of 2.8% in October 2024.
The monthly change in the consumer price index (CPI) was 0.9% in February.
Recreation, sport & culture; food & non-alcoholic beverages (NAB); alcoholic beverages & tobacco; and communication recorded higher annual rates in February.
Inflation cooled for several product categories, most notably personal care & miscellaneous services; health; restaurants & accommodation; furnishings, household equipment & routine maintenance; and transport.
Maize meal inflation remains hot
The annual rate for food & NAB accelerated to a four-month peak in February, rising to 2.8% from 2.3% in January.
Fruit & nuts, vegetables, hot beverages, seafood, meat and cereals recorded higher rates.
However, cold beverages; milk, dairy & eggs; oils & fats; and sugar, confectionery & desserts witnessed slower price increases.
Maize meal inflation reached a 17-month high and samp a 19-month high in February.
The price index for maize meal increased by an annual 10.6% and samp by 18.7%.
In terms of average prices, a 5kg bag of maize meal was R74.91 in February, up from R68.52 a year ago.
The price for samp (1kg) increased to R22.86 from R19.28 over the same period.
These increases are driven by inflationary pressure in the production chain.
According to the latest producer price index (PPI), annual farm inflation for maize was 64.7% and factory-gate inflation was 15% in January.
On average, consumer prices for meat remained stable in February, recording a monthly change of 0%.
The annual rate for the category was also 0%, indicating that prices (on average) remained stable in the 12 months to February.
While meat remains subdued, inflation for hot beverages continues to accelerate.
The annual change in the price index for hot beverages was 14.6% in February, up from 13.7% in January.
Prices rose sharply by 1.1% between January and February.
Instant coffee recorded an annual rate of 19%, the highest in six months. The rate for black tea was 12.4%.
In terms of significant changes between January and February this year, cucumber prices jumped 8.5%, while lettuce saw a spike of 4.9%.
Meanwhile, potato prices dropped 2.9% while the cost of sweet potatoes saw an even bigger decline of 7.5%.
Other notable price changes
Stats SA surveyed medical insurance (medical aid premiums) and health services in February.
Medical aid premiums increased by 10.5% this year, slightly up from 10.3% in 2024.
Medical services rose by 6.1% compared with a 5% rise last year.
General practitioner’s fees increased by 6.6% and dentist prices were up by 5.2%.
Fuel prices climbed by 3.9% between January and February, taking the annual rate to -3,6% from -4,5% in January.
The price for inland 95-octane petrol was R22.41 in February, up from R21.59 in January.
Despite this increase, the price is still lower than it was a year ago (R23.24).
Who are Stats SA?
Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) is the national statistical service of South Africa with the goal of producing timely, accurate and official statistics, in order to advance economic growth, development and democracy.
To this end, Stats SA produces official demographic, economic and social censuses and surveys.
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