By Zuko Komisa
- The July 2026 Household Affordability Index reveals the average cost of a basic food basket has climbed to R5 530.52, with prices rising across half of all tracked essentials.
- Soaring transport and electricity tariffs swallow roughly 62% of a low-income worker’s earnings, leaving families with an unmanageable R522 per person for food falling well below the national poverty threshold.
- The stark economic divide leaves South African households facing severe nutrition deficits as wages fail to keep pace with basic living costs.
The relentless squeeze on household budgets continues as the latest July 2026 Household Affordability Index reveals the average price of a standard food basket has climbed to R5 530.52.
Month-on-month increases hit half of all tracked staple items, leaving families struggling to stretch their hard-earned money.
However, the real crisis runs much deeper than supermarket shelves.
With transport and electricity bills devouring a staggering 62% of an average worker’s income, families are left with roughly R522 per person for monthly food expenses a figure well below the national food poverty line.
The July 2026 Household Affordability Index reveals a deepening economic crisis across South Africa, as the average cost of a basic food basket has risen to R5 530.52 amidst climbing prices for key staples.
With essential transport and electricity bills devouring roughly 62% of a low-income worker’s earnings, families are left with just R522 per person for food far below the national poverty line forcing severe nutritional deficits as wages fail to keep pace with relentless living costs.
Kay Biz with Gugulethu Mfuphi spoke to Mervyn Abrahams, Programme Coordinator at the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice & Dignity Group (PMBEJD) unpacked the local impact on households stretching from Joburg and Cape Town to Springbok and Mtubatuba.
Listen to the full conversation here:
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