Skip to main content

Lockdown price hikes: Eggs cost 19% more, and tea, dishwashing liquid much pricier

| Economic factors

The prices of eggs, tea and coffee have rocketed during the first three weeks of lockdown, new data from Statistics South Africa shows.

Since the start of the lockdown on 27 March, Stats SA has been measuring price changes on essential products. Looking at a basket of these goods, the agency found that prices rose on average by 0.3% in the first three weeks of lockdown (until the end of 16 April).

 

Government introduced price controls on "basic food and consumer items" at the start of lockdown: sellers who hike prices of these goods by more than input cost increases could face big fines and jail-time.

Still, there were big price increases in some food products – particularly eggs, which became 19% more expensive in three weeks.

Eggs have been in hot demand during lockdown, as South Africans turned to baking and preparing their own food. One producer saw a 60% increase in the sale of its eggs, and producers are struggling to keep up with demand, Farmer’s Weekly reported. Household demand more than made up for the lack of purchases from restaurants, which are closed during lockdown.

Eggs are considered a basic food product, and are subject to the new price control regulations, Sipho Ngwema, head of communication at the Competition Commission, confirmed to Business Insider.  

Tea saw a massive 7% price increase in the first three weeks of lockdown, while instant coffee cost 2.8% more. But rooibos tea prices fell by almost 5%,

While the average price of beef mince rose by more than 7%, chicken prices fell. On average, meat prices rose by 0.7%.

White and brown bread prices increased by 1.9% and 1,8% respectively.

Fruit and vegetable prices – which are typically highly volatile, Stats SA says – decreased by 9,6% and 2,9% respectively.

Prices of personal care products fell during lockdown, with prices of shampoo (-7%), bath soap (-5%) and tissues (-2.5%) all lower.

But there was a 4.4% increase in the price of dishwashing liquid, Stats SA reports.

 


Related Articles

Grocery budgets: Say goodbye to these foods as ...

By: IOL Business Fried chips, potato salad, baked or roasted potatoes, and stews and curries with potatoes – whichever your favourite, you may have to do without if you have any hope of spending less on groceries in the coming weeks. And don’t p...

Black Friday shoppers spent R4.5bn, with jewell...

By: TimesLive Black Friday 2023 levels reflected tougher economic conditions in South Africa, but sales totalled R4.5bn.

December fuel price outlook is good news for bo...

By: IOL With a week to go until December’s fuel price sums are finalised, the outlook is positive for both petrol and diesel.

Smart shopping tips to get the most out of your...

South Africans are no strangers to the struggle of maximising their hard-earned rands, particularly when it comes to grocery shopping. In today's economic landscape, the increasing food costs are having a widespread impact, causing financial strai...

‘Bleak’ Friday: Consumers don’t have money, ret...

By: Bonny Fourie – IOL Business Black Friday is probably not going to be a grand event this year as consumers are already struggling to keep financially afloat and under-pressure retailers may not be able to offer great discounts.