Annual consumer price inflation remained unchanged at 2.8% in May, the same as April.

This is in comparison to the 2.7% observed in March.

Statistics South Africa released the latest reading early on Wednesday, adding that food and non-alcoholic beverages is the biggest contributor to the monthly uptick in the CPI. Other drivers included the housing and utilities sector, and alcoholic beverages and tobacco.

At the same time, food inflation has ascended to 4.8%, a rise from the 4% observed the previous month.

The agency’s Patrick Kelly emphasised that meat prices, especially beef, were a primary factor behind the increase in food inflation.

“Meat and specifically beef, is a key factor behind the rise in food inflation. The annual rate for meat jumped to 4.4% from 3% in April, that month, monthly increases for beef products ranged from 6.2% to 11.9%, in May, this trend continued with notable monthly increases recorded for beef steak up to 4 and a half percent, stewing beef higher by 2.5% and beef mince increasing by 1.7%,” said Kelly.

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