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The big impact that the outbreak of bird flu has had on the South African poultry sector has become evident in October inflation data from Statistics South Africa on Wednesday.
According to the latest report, inflation for milk, eggs, and cheese quickened to 12.4% from 11.2% in September.
"Egg prices rose sharply in October, with the price index increasing by 13.4% from September. This pushed the annual rate to 24.4%," Stats SA said.
Headline inflation "accelerated" to 5.9%, on the edge of the SA Reserve Bank's inflation target range of 3% to 6%.
"Prices for poultry-related products, including eggs, have come under increased upward pressure due to the outbreak of avian flu.
"The culling of millions of chickens resulted in market shortages and panic buying from anxious consumers," Stats SA said.
Annual consumer inflation increased for a third consecutive month in October, rising to 5,9% from 5,4% in September.
— Stats SA (@StatsSA) November 22, 2023
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It also noted that prices varied across the country, with consumers in the Western Cape feeling the pain more, having to pay an average of R6.42 more for a tray of six eggs, which jumped from R17.71 last October to R24.13 in October 2023.
"Gauteng consumers had to fork out an additional R4.81 over the same period. At an average price of R24.32, a tray of six eggs was the most expensive in Gauteng during October."
But, Stats SA said while the recent spotlight has been on eggs, the increase in the prices of potatoes largely escaped attention.
"Potatoes recorded a price increase of 21.2% between September and October. This took the annual rate for the vegetable to 64.6%," it said.
The average price for potatoes increased by R8.89 from R13.93 per kilogram in October 2022 to R22.82 per kilogram in October 2023.
"Inflation for vegetables and fruit is typically volatile with the annual rate for vegetables was 23.6% in October, the highest reading since December 2007 when the rate was 23.8%."
