Agri SA yesterday made a clarion call for the government to step in after Tiger Brands gave notice of its intention to close down its canning factory in Ashton, Western Cape after it failed to find a buyer, which will hit 4 500 workers and cause socio-economic devastation to the surrounding community.

Statistics South Africa has published its latest consumer price index, showing that annual consumer price inflation has broken through the upper limit of the Reserve Bank’s target range.

Consumer prices are skyrocketing, and we are all feeling it. Driven by a perfect storm of COVID restrictions and impacts over the last two years followed by a major European war, and significantly for South Africa, a Chinese economic slowdown, the prices of fuel and the basic food basket are likely to continue to climb over the medium term.

South Africa’s most important economic release this week will be the consumer inflation (CPI) print by Statistics South Africa on Wednesday (22 June), say economists at the Bureau for Economic Research (BER).

Over the past few months, the cost of living in South Africa has dramatically shot up, as a result of the likes of rising inflation, petrol hikes, and flat salaries.

The rate of inflation is above central bank targets in virtually every major developed and emerging market economy, says senior emerging markets economist at Schroders David Rees.

The high cost of food is a subject on everyone’s lips. Reasons for the increases range from the war in Ukraine to the weaker rand, and natural disasters such as the floods in KwaZulu-Natal – a province in which many South African factories are situated.

The latest Household Affordability Index by the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice & Dignity group (PMBEJD) shows that food prices continued to climb in May 2022.

These are the findings of a survey conducted by InfoQuest/TrendER, a leading South African online research company.

As the petrol price continues winging its way to record highs, Pick n Pay’s Smart Shopper loyalty programme is giving South Africans a way to save at the fuel pump.

South Africans have noticed the price of many goods increasing over the last month, and can expect to see fewer products associated with sunflower oil on retailer shelves as the ongoing crisis in Ukraine bites, says professional services firm PwC.

As South Africa enters into the winter months, citizens need to be aware of rising Covid cases and contend with the higher likelihood of catching other common illnesses associated with the colder weather.