South Africans are paying a little more for everyday essentials, with consumer inflation ticking up to 3.4% in September, slightly higher than the 3.3% recorded in August, according to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA).

Stats SA economist Patrick Kelly says the increase was largely driven by higher prices in transport, restaurants, and accommodation. However, the pressure on food and non-alcoholic beverage prices has eased slightly.

One of the biggest contributors to the uptick is meat, which has reached its highest price levels since 2018. Stewing beef alone is now 32% more expensive than a year ago, with pork, lamb, and chicken also showing noticeable increases.

Kelly says it’s not all bad news. Some staples have actually become cheaper.

“Most varieties of milk were cheaper. For example, prices for fresh full-cream milk decreased by an annual 2.1%. Egg prices were also lower, with the annual rate for eggs dropping further to -8.2% from -6.7% in August,” he explained.

While inflation remains within the Reserve Bank’s target range, the latest figures highlight how volatile food and transport costs continue to shape the cost of living for many households.