Lockdowns and tough economic times have pushed South Africans towards a greater fast food, delivery and takeaway culture.
This is reflected in Stats SA’s latest restaurant, takeaway and catering income data, released on Monday.
According to Stats SA total income increased by 11.9% in three months ending in May 2022, compared with the same period last year.
The main contributors to this increase were takeaway and fast-food outlets and restaurants and coffee shops.
An analysis of the data by FNB shows the fast food sector had made major inroads through the lockdown period.
FNB’s John Loos said overall, the restaurant, takeaway and catering sector showed signs of slowing, but was still solid.
“This has been expected, firstly due to the normalisation of activity after lockdowns having more or less been completed.
In addition, the data has been pointing to a ‘structural’ shift towards a greater take-away/fast food/convenience culture, also probably boosted by the improved delivery capability of many outlets.
— John Loos, FNB
“Some negative economic events are beginning to force consumers to reprioritise expenditure, partly away from nonessential spend, such as eating out and takeaways.”
Loos said rising fuel costs and interest rates, and a slowing economy, are constraining household income growth.
“In addition, the data has been pointing to a ‘structural’ shift towards a greater takeaway/fast food/convenience culture, also probably boosted by the improved delivery capability of many outlets.
“Post [the] Covid-19 lockdowns, consumers appear far more [concerned] about convenience and speed, and takeaway/fast food outlets cater more for this.
“The sharply weaker performance in sit-down restaurants and coffee shops since before Covid-19 has arguably put retail centres with a greater focus on this at a relative disadvantage,” said Loos.
However, a growing takeaway culture does not bode well for the state of South Africans’ health, particularly with cardiovascular disease (CVD) being responsible for almost one in six deaths, claiming more lives than that of all cancers combined.
The Heart and Stroke Foundation SA says 225 South Africans die from heart disease and strokes every day.
Head of the foundation Prof Pamela Naidoo said key risk factors that drive the high mortality and morbidity for CVD include modifiable factors, such as lack of physical activity, poor nutrition, tobacco smoking and increased alcohol consumption.
Hayley Cimring, the foundation’s nutrition expert said unhealthy sources of fats, high in saturated and trans fats, can raise cholesterol levels.
“These can be found in foods such as fatty and processed meats, chicken skin, butter, cream and hard cheeses, coconut or palm oil, pies, pastries, biscuits, crackers, fast foods and deep-fried potato or slap chips.
“Replace these with healthier fats rich in mono- and polyunsaturated fats, such as plant oils, peanut butter, nuts and seeds, avocado and fatty fish.”
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