Data compiled by StatsSA shows that the price of beer in South Africa has risen by more than 50% since 2010, far more than the price of other alcohol, and more than tobacco, or new cars.

“South Africans love their beer,” StatsSA said, noting that households allocated 60% of their expenditure on alcoholic beverages to this type of drink, followed by wine (23%) and spirits (18%).

StatsSA said that beer prices climbed by as much as 11.8% in June 2015 compared with June 2014, according to the group’s latest Consumer price index (CPI).

Prices for spirits rose by 7.1% and wine by 5.5% over the same period. Beer inflation has been in double-digit territory since March 2015, StatsSA said.

And, the picture doesn’t look any better over a five-year period. Enjoying a beer which cost R10.00 during the 2010 Soccer World Cup game would now set you back R15.30.

Beer prices have climbed by 53% since June 2010, outpacing price increases for other consumer items, such as meat (41%), bread and cereals (41%), tobacco (33%), fruit (25%), and new vehicles (24%).

Non-alcoholic beverages rose by 26% over the same period.

Imported beers in particular have become a lot more expensive, StatsSA said. This situation is likely to be exacerbated by the weak rand, having hit it’s worst-ever levels against the US dollar and British pound in recent days.

The average price of a 330ml bottle or can of imported beer rose by 21.9% in June 2015 compared with June 2014, from R10.92 to R13.31. In comparison, the local equivalent rose by 10.8%, from R8.99 to R9.96.

A local 330ml beer is most expensive in Gauteng (R10.45), followed by KwaZulu-Natal (R10.24) and Mpumalanga (R10.12).

Free State is the place to be for the cheapest beer, with the province recording the lowest average price of R9.43 in June 2015.

However, despite rising prices, the price per litre for beer is still much lower than other alcoholic drinks.

The per litre price for beer was R30 per litre, much lower than red wine (R65 per litre) and whisky (R209 per litre), StatsSA said.

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