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Annual consumer price inflation dipped to 7.6% in August, down from 7.8% in July 2022.
Statistics South Africa said on Wednesday that on the month, CPI increased by 0.2% in August.
Chief Director for Price Statistics, Patrick Kelley, said this was the lowest monthly change since January.
He said while fuel prices decreased by 3.8% between July and August, in contrast, food inflation continued its upward trajectory.
"Annual food inflation has climbed significantly from the recent low of 6% in April this year and has remained above the 5% mark since October 2020. Nine of the 11 food categories recorded an annual inflation rate of above 8% in August," Kelley said.
He said among these, bread and cereals registered the highest monthly increase, rising by 3.1% from July to August.
The price of oils and fats hit another annual high at 37.6%, although the monthly rate slowed from a peak of 10.1% in May this year, to 1.1% in August.
Kelley said prices for hot beverage products "steamed" to their highest annual rate in 64 months at 11.8%, stirred up by monthly increases in Rooibos tea and instant coffee.
Household cleaning products also recorded significant price increases.
"Overall the price index for cleaning and maintenance products increased by 23.4% over the past 12 months," he said.
