THE Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity group released its December 2023 Household Affordability Index, which tracks food price data from 47 supermarkets and 32 butcheries in the country, including those in KwaMashu, uMlazi, Isipingo, the Durban CBD, Hammarsdale and Pinetown.
Julie Smith, the organisation’s researcher, said the data showed that the average cost of the household food basket increased by R86.66 (1.7%), from R5 238,20 in December 2023 to R5 324.86 this month.
Year-on-year, the average cost of the household food basket increased by R407.44 (8.3%), from R4 917.42 in January 2023 to R5 324.86 this month.
The Durban basket increased by R149.17 (2.9%) month-on-month, and increased by R387.39 (7.8%) year-on-year, to R5 362.38 this month.
“Foods which increased in price in December 2023, by 5% or more, included soup,…