As food prices continue to rise in South Africa, many households are searching for practical ways to reduce their monthly grocery bills without compromising nutrition or quality. Whether you’re shopping for a family of five or just yourself, using the right strategies can make a substantial difference. Below are the top tips to save money on groceries in 2025, based on expert advice, consumer trends, and government insights.
Rising Costs Highlight the Need to Save
South Africans have felt the pinch at the tills more than ever. The average cost of a basic food basket increased by nearly 60% from R1,303.18 in December 2019 to R2,078.68 in December 2024, with essential items such as maize meal, cooking oil, and eggs seeing the biggest hikes.
These increases, coupled with Eskom’s 12.7% electricity price hike in April 2025, mean that groceries are costing more not only at the point of sale but also in terms of storage and preparation.
10 Tried-and-Tested Tips to Save Money on Groceries
1. Plan Your Meals and Shop With a List
Meal planning is one of the most effective ways to reduce overspending and food waste. By checking what’s already in your pantry and mapping out meals for the week, you can avoid unnecessary purchases. “Set aside time each week to plan your meals. Do an inventory of what you already have in your pantry, and then compose your grocery list”.
2. Shop for Seasonal and Local Produce
Fruit and vegetables that are in season are often cheaper and fresher. Local street vendors and markets can offer better prices than large supermarkets, especially when you’re buying in bulk.
3. Stick to a Weekly Grocery Budget
Financial experts recommend setting a clear weekly limit for grocery spending based on your household size. “Knowing your limits will help you stay on track and avoid overspending,” says Maubane, a financial advisor featured in Bizcommunity‘s recent consumer guide.
4. Buy Store Brands Instead of Name Brands
Generic or house-brand products are often just as good as their branded counterparts and come at a fraction of the cost. Many are manufactured in the same factories but packaged differently.
5. Use Loyalty Programmes and Coupons
Retailers such as Pick n Pay (Smart Shopper), Woolworths (WRewards), and Checkers (Xtra Savings) offer points, discounts, and cashback opportunities that can add up to hundreds of rands saved each month. TymeBank recommends leveraging these loyalty rewards to optimise your grocery spend.
6. Take Advantage of Bulk Deals and Specials
Bulk buying works well for non-perishables such as rice, tinned goods, and toilet paper. Be cautious, however, when buying perishable goods in large quantities to avoid waste.
7. Join a Grocery Stokvel or Buying Group
Community buying initiatives—sometimes called grocery stokvels—allow families and friends to pool funds and buy groceries at wholesale prices. According to Maubane, “Buying groups serve as a means for individuals to pool funds along with friends, family, and neighbours to buy bulk groceries”.
8. Use Group Buying Platforms
Online platforms like SOLshop are making it easier for everyday South Africans to buy in bulk as a collective, accessing discounts usually reserved for businesses and resellers.
9. Check the VAT Zero-Rated Food List
In 2025, the government expanded the list of VAT-exempt food items, now including edible offal, select meat cuts, and more. Familiarising yourself with this list can help cut unnecessary tax expenses.
10. Never Shop Hungry
Shopping on an empty stomach often leads to impulse buying, especially of high-margin snacks and processed items near checkouts. Always eat before a grocery run.
ALSO READ: VAT freeze: Where to Find Cheap VAT-Frozen Groceries in South Africa Amid Price Relief
Smart Habits Make a Big Difference
Saving money on groceries in 2025 is less about drastic cutbacks and more about forming smart shopping habits. With food prices continuing to climb, consumers in Gauteng and across South Africa need to be proactive. From meal planning and loyalty rewards to stokvels and buying seasonal produce, these tips to save money on groceries can offer significant monthly relief.
