A widespread outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in parts of South Africa and higher feed prices have pushed up beef inflation.
According to Stats SA’s May 2025 Consumer Price Index report, food and nonalcoholic beverages prices contributed to the monthly increase in the CPI — the monthly measure of changes in prices for a range of consumer products.
While consumer price inflation was 2.8% in May, unchanged from April, the CPI increased by 0.2% between April and May.
Meat, specifically beef, is a key factor behind the rise in food inflation. The annual rate for meat jumped from 3% in April to 4.4% in May.
“In April, monthly increases for beef products ranged from 6.2% to 11.9%. In May, notable monthly increases were recorded for beef steak (up 4.5%), stewing beef (up 2.5%) and beef mince (up 1.7%). A widespread outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), combined with higher feed prices, contributed to the rise in beef inflation,” the report stated.
Agriculture minister John Steenhuisen recently addressed concerns about the occurrence of FMD — a highly contagious viral infection that impacts mainly cloven-hoofed animals.
“In recent months, outbreaks have occurred in five of the nine provinces in South Africa, with KwaZulu-Natal experiencing the most significant impact.
“We would like to put the facts on the table and ask all citizens to make it their business to obtain knowledge about how to mitigate the spread of this disease. After all, biosecurity is everyone's responsibility,” Steenhuisen said.
In terms of the current intervention by the department, Steenhuisen said infected properties have been placed under quarantine and “no movement is allowed into, out of, or through these areas or farms”.
“Large areas, where individuals cannot be served with quarantine notices, are declared Disease Management Areas, and the same restrictions apply.”
The department has ordered 901,200 doses of vaccines at a cost of over R70m.
Despite some feedlots being affected, there are several feedlots that are slaughtering that are not affected. FMD does not kill animals, so there is not going to be mass mortalities which will result in fewer animals and therefore a shortage of meat
— John Steenhuisen, agriculture minister
“This means that over 900,000 animals will be vaccinated in all areas that the department has prioritised. Limpopo and Mpumalanga will also be conducting their routine vaccinations, which are conducted three times a year. Some of the vaccines will go to Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.”
Steenhuisen said despite the outbreak South Africans should not be concerned about meat shortages.
“Despite some feedlots being affected, there are several feedlots that are slaughtering that are not affected. FMD does not kill animals, so there is not going to be mass mortalities which will result in fewer animals and therefore a shortage of meat.”
According to the Stats SA report, not only the price of beef but also fish and other seafood increased.
“The fish & other seafood category recorded an annual increase of 4,9% in May, up from 4.8% in April. Hake is 9.1% and fish fingers 6.1% more expensive than a year ago.”
The annual rate for oils & fats was 5.6%, the highest since April 2023 (10%). Sunflower oil recorded an annual increase of 7.6% and brick margarine 7.9%.
The report also focused on vegetable prices, which it said “tend to be highly volatile, depending on seasonal factors”.
“The annual rate for the category was 10.3% in May, up from a recent low of -2.6% in November 2024. The rate in May is the highest since January 2024, when it was 12.6%. High annual increases were recorded for beetroot (64%), lettuce (20.9%) and carrots (13.4%).”
Maize meal and samp continue to record price increases.
The annual rate for cereal products was 4.5% in May, with double-digit inflation registered for maize meal (14.2%) and samp (20.6%).
Most wheat-based products are experiencing low inflation rates, apart from biscuits.
Savoury biscuits saw a monthly increase of 2.2%, taking the annual rate to 12.5%. Sweet biscuits saw a monthly rise of 1.5% and an annual increase of 6.4%.
The report also found that “stubbornly high inflation rates for hot beverages may be subsiding.
“This index was unchanged between April and May. The annual increase slowed to 12.4% from 15.2% in April. This is the lowest year-on-year rate since April 2024 when it was 11.4%.”
With more South African families being forced to cut nutritious food from their plates because of rising costs, advocacy movement United Against Hunger recently initiated a nationwide petition campaign to exert pressure on government and retailers to reduce food prices on nutritious best buys.
This comes as the latest Household Affordability Index report by the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group showed a 3.1% year-on-year increase in core staples such as brown bread, cooking oil, maize meal, tea, potatoes, frozen chicken pieces, white sugar and sugar beans.
United Against Hunger, which comprises the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and the Healthy Living Alliance, has demanded through its petition that retailers drop food prices for “10 best buys” including rice, long-life milk, soya, eggs, tinned fish, dried beans, peanut butter, fortified maize meal, maas and lentils.
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