Affordability Index: Children’s health at stake as April food prices reach all-time high

As food prices continue to rise amid South Africa’s deepening economic crisis, low-income households struggle to make ends meet.

It’s a crisis affecting millions of people in SA, since low-income households are in the majority in the country.

To make matters worse, the latest Household Affordability Index (for April), show that essential food items increased by a whopping 13.7% year-on-year.^[1]

April food basket

The cost of the food basket for April is the highest it’s ever been, breaching the R5 000 mark for the first time.

It increased from R4 966.20 in March to R5 023.95 in April.

Escalating food prices

In April’s basket, the price of staples, such as onions, green peppers, potatoes, carrots, maize meal, samp, tomatoes, cabbage, flour and stock cubes, saw a significant increase.

The price of onions increased by 82%, while green peppers skyrocketed by 43%, and potatoes by 33%. Carrots increased by 27% and maize meal by 25%.

Oranges showed a significant decrease (33%), but that’s pretty much the only good news. Sugar beans and cooking oil decreased by 3%, bananas decreased by 5%, and beef and rice decreased by 2%.

Impact on child development

As prices continue to rise, low-income families are forced to cut down on other nutritionally rich foods, such as meat, eggs, dairy, fruits, and vegetables.

Not only does this negatively impact overall household health, but it also impacts child development.

Studies show behavioural problems in children — along with sleep issues and stunted emotional and psychological development — are associated with a poor diet.

Low-fibre diets devoid of whole vegetables and grains cause constipation and put children at greater risk of developing bowel cancers and heart disease later in life.^[2]

Household affordability index

The Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice & Dignity Group (PMBEJD) food basket comprises 44 core food items most frequently purchased by lower-income households.

Zero-rated foods which are exempt from Value Added Tax (VAT) increased by R309.67 (13.1%) from April 2022 to April 2023.

Meanwhile, foods subject to VAT saw an increase of R171.35 (7.9%) during the same period.

Core food items – such as maize meal, rice, and meat – make up 55% of the total cost of the Household Food Basket.

READ: Three affordable recipes to help you cut your grocery bill

Action needed

A StatSA survey conducted in 2019 showed that 21% of households had inadequate or severely inadequate access to food.

Low-income households prioritise core staple foods to provide basic meals but had to remove or reduce nutritionally rich foods when budgets are right.

As the economic climate continues to deteriorate, household health will be further compromised, widening the gap between what is affordable and what is needed for proper nutrition.

As the crisis unfolds, the PMBEJD calls for imaginative policy and systemic responses to address the challenges faced by South Africa’s most vulnerable households.

Sources:

^{[1] Household Affordability Index South Africa; DG Murray Trust and Heinrich Boll Foundation, 28 April 2023.
[2] Nutrition – school-age to adolescence; Royal Children’s Hospital}