Grocery Price Movements in South Africa — September 2026
Tracking price levels and movements across a defined set of 15 everyday grocery products at four major South African retailers.
Extension 7
October 2026
Introduction
This report tracks price movements across 15 everyday grocery products at four major South African retailers during September 2026, covering the period from 1 to 30 September.
It follows the mid-September observation covering 1 to 15 September and continues the series established with the August baseline. The full-month observation shows how the measured price level and composition of the defined set of groceries changed over September.
Price Movement
The largest upward price movement during September was recorded for tomatoes. Prices moved by R8.00 at both Checkers and Pick n Pay, from R21.99 to R29.99.
Similar movements appeared across several product categories. Sugar moved by R18.00 at Shoprite, from R56.99 to R74.99, and by R7.00 at Pick n Pay, from R66.99 to R73.99. Onions moved by R8.00 at Woolworths, from R34.99 to R42.99, and by R6.00 at Pick n Pay, from R32.99 to R38.99.
The largest downward price movements included Full Cream Milk 2L at Checkers, which moved by R4.00 from R36.99 to R32.99; Bulk Lean Beef Mince at Pick n Pay, which moved by R10.00 from R119.99 to R109.99; and Long Grain White Rice 2kg at Checkers, which moved by R3.00 from R42.99 to R39.99.
Price Composition
Instant coffee and beef mince were the largest components of the September price composition, with average observed values of R123.74 and R123.52 respectively. Sunflower oil followed at R87.49.
Price Level
The price level for the 15 product groups moved from a base of 100.00 on 1 September to 102.85 on 30 September, an increase of 2.85 index points. The largest daily movement was 0.97 index points 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.
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 R871.30 in September. Instant coffee and beef mince were the largest components, with average observed values of R123.74 and R123.52 respectively, followed by sunflower oil at R87.49.
The largest upward price movements during the month included tomatoes, sugar and onions, with movements in each category recorded at more than one retailer. The largest downward movements included beef mince, milk and rice.