South Africa’s CPI held steady in August - EWN

South Africa’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) held steady in August, with Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) reporting no month-on-month change.

For the first time in nine months, food and non-alcoholic beverage inflation quickened.

A trend worth watching heading into the final months of the year.

At the same time, prices fell for alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and health products between July and August.

Fuel inflation, one of the biggest drivers of the cost of living this year, continued to ease, even though it remains sharply elevated on an annual basis.

Stats SA’s chief director for price statistics, Patrick Kelly, explained: “Food and non-alcoholic beverages inflation quickened for the first time in nine months. Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and the health index fell month-on-month and fuel inflation continued to ease. There was no change in CPI between July and August.”

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