We’re paying 10% more for vegetables in South Africa compared to 2018

According to Statistics South Africa, your nice winter veggie stew is going to cost a lot more in 2019 than last year. But it may be a whole lot cheaper if you’re a meat lover.

The body on Wednesday released pricing and inflation stats for South Africa’s food stuffs and consumables in 2019 compared to 2018, noting that some of the most common green stuff is getting more expensive.

#Vegetable prices increased by 10,1% over the last 12 months. For all the #Beetroot lovers: beetroot is 25,5% more expensive compared with last year while #pumpkin & #broccoli prices increased by 13,2% and 10,4% respectively. Read more here: https://t.co/0nBFQ9kZRs#StatsSA #CPI pic.twitter.com/Js8l4iAQ4z

— Stats SA (@StatsSA) May 22, 2019

Case in point: lettuce. These simple leaves are now 16.6% more expensive than they were in 2018. Beetroot, although good for the heart, will kill your wallet even faster. It’s up by 25.5% in price over 2018. Peppers (19.9%), pumpkin 13.2%) and broccoli (10.4%) will also cost even more. And even basic veg like potatoes and carrots will fetch up to 6.5% more in 2019.

Cauliflower, onions and stewing beef are cheaper, while beetroot, wine and broccoli are a lot more expensive in 2019

Oddly enough, banting-favourite cauliflower is some 1% cheaper.

Overall, vegatables’ prices increased by 10.1% in South Africa between 2018 and 2019.

Meat is cheaper, beer is pricier

Despite inflation dropping by 0.1%, other food prices are also seeing a notable increase. “Fruit (6.4%); bread and cereals (6.1%); fish (4.9%); and sugar, sweets and desserts (5.2%)” are all more expensive in April.

Meat prices continue their downward trend, down by 1,2% in April y/y. Stewing beef was 5,4% cheaper than a year ago. #Beef steak prices have fallen by 4,8%. #Bacon prices increased 16,3% y/y. #CPI April 2019=4,4%.
Listen here for more: https://t.co/8olL0TC7xQ pic.twitter.com/8HWWvzugNm

— Stats SA (@StatsSA) May 22, 2019

Some meat, however, is cheaper. Stewing beef in particular is 5.4% cheaper than in 2018, while beef steak prices have dropped by 4.8%.

Bacon, interestingly, is 16.3% more expensive, bucking the pro-carnivorous trend.

And for all you people thirsting out there: “Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages have seen strong price increases over the past 12 months,” StatsSA writes. “Cold beverage prices have increased by 9.4% since April 2018. Wine prices climbed by 7.9% over the same period.”

Feature image: Ella Olsson via Pexels