Grocery Price Movements in South Africa — Mid-September 2026
Tracking price levels and movements across a defined set of 15 everyday grocery products at four major South African retailers.
Extension 7
September 2026
Introduction
This report tracks price movements across 15 everyday grocery products at four major South African retailers during mid-September 2026, defined as the period from 1 to 15 September. It builds on the baseline established in the first report, which measured prices between 17 and 21 August 2026.
The mid-September observation provides the next price level in the series, showing how the cost and composition of the defined set of groceries have moved since the August baseline.
Price Movement
The measured price level for the 15 product groups increased from R789.98 in August to R868.37 in mid-September, a change of R78.39 or 9.92%. Fourteen of the 15 product groups recorded a higher average price level than in August, while one recorded a lower level.
During mid-September, 12 of the 60 tracked products recorded a price change. The largest increase was Huletts White Sugar 2.5kg at Shoprite, which moved from R56.99 to R72.99, an increase of R16.00 or 28.08%. Roma Tomatoes 1kg at Shoprite increased by 25.01%, while Selati Pure White Sugar 2.5kg at Checkers increased by 13.80%.
Three of the 12 price movements were decreases. Spekko Long Grain White Rice 2kg at Checkers recorded the largest decline, moving from R42.99 to R39.99, a decrease of R3.00 or 6.98%.
Current Composition
Instant coffee and beef mince were the largest components of the measured price level in mid-September, accounting for 14.25% and 14.17% of the 15-product set respectively. Sunflower oil accounted for 10.08%, followed by large eggs at 7.97% and whole chicken at 7.90%.
Price Level
The price level for the 15 product groups increased by 1.45% during mid-September, with the index moving from a base of 100.00 on 1 September to 101.45 on 15 September. The largest daily movement was an increase of 0.97% on 6 September.
Data Note
The series tracks 15 defined grocery product groups across Checkers, Pick n Pay, Shoprite and Woolworths. Brands and individual SKUs may differ across retailers by design, while products are selected to remain within the specifications of their respective product groups.
Where a previously observed product can no longer be found, it is replaced with a suitable product from the same product group. For example, ZZ2 Tomatoes previously observed at Pick n Pay were replaced with PnP English Tomatoes 1kg after the ZZ2 product could no longer be found.
The full methodology and original observation period are documented in the first report: The Cost of Everyday Groceries in South Africa.
Conclusion
The measured price level for the 15 product groups was R868.37 in mid-September, compared with R789.98 in the August observation period. Fourteen product groups recorded a higher average price level than the August baseline, while one recorded a lower level.
During mid-September, 12 of the 60 tracked products recorded a price change. The price level index increased by 1.45% between 1 and 15 September, ending the period at 101.45 from a base of 100.00.