Business

Relief for Braai Lovers as Food Prices Show Signs of Cooling

Published

3 hours ago

September 26, 2025

Chiraag

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A September tradition under pressure

Every September, as Heritage Month rolls around, South Africans light the fires and celebrate one of the country’s most beloved traditions: the braai. But this year, many grillmasters have noticed their shopping baskets feeling a little heavier on the wallet. Meat prices in particular have been under pressure, threatening to dim the joy of the season.

Thankfully, new figures suggest the tide may be turning. The September Braai Index, which tracks the cost of a typical braai basket, shows that prices dipped slightly month-on-month, bringing some much-needed relief to households preparing for spring gatherings.

What the numbers say

The index recorded a 2.4% drop between August and September, thanks largely to falling prices of sides like potatoes, spinach, carrots, onions, and tomatoes. Even beef and samp saw slight decreases compared with the previous month.

However, year-on-year comparisons tell a more challenging story. Overall, braai basket prices are still 3.1% higher than this time last year, with beef driving much of the increase. In fact, beef products have faced some of the sharpest hikes, with mince up more than 27% annually and stewing beef rising over 32%.

The culprit behind this surge has been the outbreak of foot and mouth disease at one of the country’s largest feedlots earlier this year, which disrupted supply and pushed costs upward.

Sides are sorted, but beef remains pricey

For those who pile their plates with salads, the news is brighter. Vegetables have been consistently cheaper for three months running, making it easier to balance out the cost of meat with more affordable sides. Wors and other braai meats, however, continue to climb in price, making them less forgiving on the budget.

The slowing inflation rate is significant. In June, annual braai basket inflation was close to 9%. By September, it had cooled to just over 3%. If this trend continues, families may see even more savings by the festive season.

Looking ahead to summer braais

While Stats SA’s official data lags slightly behind the Braai Index, the broader inflation picture is beginning to line up. General inflation eased to 3.3% in August, though food and non-alcoholic beverages remained stubbornly higher at 5.2%.

Still, with beef prices expected to stabilise towards the end of the year, there is hope that December braais could be a little easier on the pocket. For now, it looks like South Africans can keep firing up the coals with just a touch more optimism.