The rising cost of living is making grocery bills a significant concern for many families across South Africa.
A recent viral post on TikTok by stay-at-home mom @robshowden has catapulted the conversation into the public sphere, with followers eagerly revealing their eye-watering monthly expenditures on groceries.
“How much money does your family spend on groceries? Please tell me I'm not the only one spending an arm and a leg,” she captioned her video.
As a family of three, she shared an unsettling revelation upon checking her banking app – a stark reminder of the financial pressures faced by households amid an ever-increasing cost of living.
@robshowden How much money does your family spend on groceries? 🥑🍌🍓🍳 Please tell me Im not the only one spending an arm and a leg 😔😂 #southafricatiktok #southafrican #groceries #budgetingtiktok #budgeting #moneyproblems #southafricanmom ♬ original sound - Robs & Alex ☁️ | SAHM 🫶🏼
In the comments section, users shared striking figures that illustrated the realities many South Africans are grappling with.
One user, identifying as BlueZia, expressed that their family of two spends between R3000 and R3500 a month.
Mischka had an even steeper average of approximately R8,000 for two adults and a teenage boy, highlighting how basic necessities quickly add up.
“We aren't buying fancy stuff; it's basics like bread, meat, veggies, fruit, etc.,” she commented.
For families that stretch their budgets even further, Frikkie van Biljon noted a staggering monthly spend of roughly R15,000 for a family of six, though switching to bulk purchasing helped cut that down by R5,000.
Bridgetvanas candidly stated that her shopping has come to an abrupt halt, relying solely on toast, avocado, and fruit.
Kim Emslie echoed the sentiment, expressing a desire to cut up the shopping habits of those spending significantly less, asking, “I’d love to see the whole shopping list or slips of those that spend only R3000-R5000 a month on groceries.”
Meanwhile, Jodie shared her struggles as a vegetarian, privately grappling with high grocery costs driven by her dietary restrictions.
As families voice their distress over grocery costs, it’s worth noting that food inflation in South Africa is currently at its lowest in 14 years.
Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) reported in November that annual inflation for food and non-alcoholic beverages (NAB) witnessed a sharp decline to 2.3%, compared to 3.6% in October.
This comes even though many households feel the pinch of rising prices, indicating the disparity between national statistics and personal experiences.
StatsSA confirmed that eight out of eleven food and beverage groups registered lower rates in November.
Significant decreases were noted in categories such as vegetables, milk, eggs, and cheese, which brings slight relief to consumers.
However, certain food items like oils, fats, and fruits have seen steeper price increases, leaving many households wondering why they continue to feel the burden of high costs despite the official decline in food inflation rates.