Money Desk
Basic food basket rises to R5,512.53 in October
The cost of a basic food basket for low-income families in South Africa rose to R5,512.53 in October 2026, driven by rising prices for core staple foods.
Households buying the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group’s basket of 44 foods faced a R24.48 monthly increase in October 2026, taking the cost to R5,512.53. The group reported the change on 28 October 2026 when it released its October Household Affordability Index.
The increase was measured from September 2026 to October 2026. “These foods must be bought regardless of price escalations,” the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group report said.
Core Staples Drive Costs
Core foods — maize meal, rice, flour, sugar, potatoes, onions, chicken and bread — cost R2,961.75 in October 2026, according to the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group. These staples accounted for 54% of the total household food basket price.
Over the year to October 2026, the cost of the core foods rose by 3.7%, adding pressure to the portion of household budgets allocated to staple products.
Minimum-Wage Household Shortfall
A minimum-wage worker earning R5,320.48 a month faces a R1,883.69 food shortfall for a family of four after transport and electricity costs are accounted for. The gap represents the amount by which the household’s available income falls short of its food needs after those expenses.
For children, the R580 Child Support Grant is R395.66 below the average monthly cost of a basic nutritious diet. That places the diet’s average cost at R975.66 a month, meaning the grant covers only part of the amount needed for one child’s basic nutritional requirements.
