Cry the beloved braai: Meat prices cutting deep this festive season

South African consumers will have to fork out more for their braai meat this festive season with the inflation of meat at the highest its been in years.

This comes as a low festive blow considering that a braai might be our only saving grace over the Christmas weekend if load shedding continues.

Eskom reduced load shedding from Stage 6 to Stage 4 from Tuesday.

BRAAI BLOW: HIGHEST INCREASE FOR T-BONE, LAMB CHOPS

So, while one has to brace oneself for the possibility of a load shedding Christmas, South Africans will also have to dig deeper into their pockets for favourite braai meats such as T-bone steaks and lamp chops.

As reported by Algoa FM, the inflation of meat is at its highest level since November 2017 when it reached 14.9%. This is according to FNB’s Agri-Business senior agricultural economist Paul Makube

Makube said T-bone steak has shown a steep increase of 18% year-on-year (y/y) at R113.48/kg, followed by brisket and chuck with an increase of 11.8% and 10% y/y respectively.

According to Makube, the price of lamb chops rose by R4.8%, with chicken prices increasing by 7.2% in most categories.

He said pork ribs and fillet posted modest gains of 3.9% and 2.8% y/y at R94.59/kg and R104.62/kg respectively.

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PORK CHOPS CHEAPEST BRAAI OPTION

The only meat that shows decease is pork chops which fell by 3.8% y/y at R89.55/kg.

Makube said this increase was underpinned by a combination of factors including tight supplies due to slow livestock slaughter among other factors.

He said livestock producers faced enormous cost pressures emanating from a surge in new feed input prices that necessitated the cost recovery as profit margins were severely squeezed.

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WHITE MAIZE INCREASE 43%

The price of white maize, a major ingredient in feed manufacturing has increased by 43% and 28% year-on-year.

“The price of soybeans, a major source of plant protein in livestock feed, so far averaged R10,561/ton which is 39% higher year-on-year,” Makube said.

According to FNB, SA’s food CPI subindex for November, meat CPI was steady but still reached the highest level in 14 months at 10.5% year-on-year.

Makube says consumers can look forward to some reprieve early in the new year when the seasonal demand past December holiday drops sets in.