Household Food Basket: Rising Food Prices Shrink Low-Income Household Budgets

The household food basket continues to rise in cost, placing extreme pressure on low-income families across Gauteng. The latest data shows that rising food prices shrink low-income household budgets, forcing consumers to cut back on essential nutrition.

Household Food Basket Trends in Gauteng

• October 2025: Average household food basket cost in South Africa: R5 440.60
• Monthly increase from September 2025: R61.18 (+1.1%)
• Year-on-year increase from October 2024: R91.95 (+1.7%)
• Average nutritional food basket for family of 4: R3 707.08
• National Minimum Wage: R5 297.36 (23 working days)
• Portion of wage spent on electricity & transport: 57%

What is a Household Food Basket?

The household food basket tracks the monthly price of 44 basic food items. It reflects what low-income South African families buy to meet nutritional needs.

The Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group (PMBEJD) coordinates this survey. It’s conducted by women from low-income communities who shop at local supermarkets and butcheries.

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Food Prices Keep Climbing in Gauteng

In October 2025, PMBEJD reported the average food basket cost reached R5 440.60. That’s R61.18 more than in September and R91.95 more than a year ago.

More than half the items in the basket increased in price. These include:

• White sugar
• Frozen chicken portions
• Tomatoes
• Butternut
• Oranges

Some price moderation was noted in onions, sugar beans and maize meal (except in Johannesburg and Durban).

Rising Food Prices Shrink Low-Income Household Budgets

This increase may seem small, but to a low-income family, an extra R61 could cover four loaves of bread. That’s four days of meals for some families.

Impact on Low-Income Households

With wages mostly stagnant, many Gauteng households must prioritise cheap, calorie-dense foods over nutritious options. As a result, diet quality is worsening.

According to Mervyn Abrahams, PMBEJD Programme Coordinator:

“There is no possibility of a worker being able to afford enough nutritious food for her family.”

Why Staple Foods Are Prioritised

Women in low-income homes buy staple items first: maize meal, rice, flour, sugar and oil. These staples allow them to stretch meals. But the cost of these items keeps climbing.

When money runs out, nutrient-rich foods like meat, dairy, and vegetables are dropped from trolleys.

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A Closer Look at Gauteng’s Affordability Crisis

Let’s break down how a minimum wage salary is spent:

• Total monthly wage (Oct 2025): R5 297.36
• Electricity & transport: R3 021.85 (57%)
• Remaining for food & other needs: R2 275.51

But the cost of a nutritious food basket for four people is R3 707.08.

This means a shortfall of 38.6%, forcing families to either skip meals or rely on cheap, less nutritious food.

Child Nutrition Crisis

Feeding a child a basic, nutritious diet now costs R945.04/month. The Child Support Grant remains at R560/month, leaving a R385 gap.

Children in low-income families are at risk of malnutrition, which can affect development and long-term health.

Stats SA & Economic Indicators

• Consumer Price Index (Sept 2025): 3.4%
• Producer Price Index (Aug 2025):
  • Agriculture: +2.4%
  • Crops: -5.2%
  • Livestock: +13.2%

These rising agricultural input costs are pushing food prices higher at the retail level.

Regional Differences in Food Basket Costs

Prices differ by city. For example:

• Johannesburg and Durban saw less price moderation on maize meal.
• Springbok and Mtubatuba had higher basket totals compared to Pietermaritzburg.

This regional variation highlights the need for local-level food policy interventions.

Policy Recommendations

To support low-income households, government and private sector stakeholders should consider:

• Increasing the National Minimum Wage
• Reviewing the Child Support Grant to match the food poverty line
• Subsidising staple foods
• Expanding food gardens and urban agriculture

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FAQs

What is the Household Food Basket?

A monthly survey tracking the cost of 44 essential food items for low-income families.

Why are rising food prices a crisis?

They reduce access to nutrition, especially for families living below the poverty line.

Who is most affected?

Low-income earners, especially women-headed households and children, face the greatest impact.

What can be done?

Higher wages, grant increases, and food subsidies are key to addressing this growing issue.

Explore the 2025 Food Basket Prices Compared – Monthly Grocery Cost Guide to see how grocery costs vary across South Africa.

At a Glance:

• Households in Gauteng are spending more for less.
• A basic nutritious diet is out of reach for many.
• Rising food prices are worsening poverty and health outcomes.

Policymakers must act swiftly to close the affordability gap and ensure access to nutritious food for all.