South Africans spend more money on beer than veggies [infographic]

Many of us enjoy a pint, but have you ever really thought much about the industry and what you spend on your beer?

In celebration of International Beer Day, StatsSA took a closer look at how much households spend on beer and how the price of your favourite brew has shifted over the last while.

This is what they found.

How much has the price of beer increased?

Beer has remained relatively flat in terms of price.

Beer inflation – for both rural and urban areas – climbed 0,3% in June 2017 compared with June 2016, way below the overall annual inflation rate of 5,0%.

The average price of a single 330ml bottle or can, for example, was R11,86 in June 2017, the same as what it would’ve cost you in January 2017.

If you prefer to buy in bulk, the average price for a six-pack of 330ml bottles or cans was R61,27 in June 2017, R1,49 cheaper than the price recorded for January. This is despite the rise in the sin tax on beer in April.

Where is beer the most expensive?

But if you live in the Western Cape, you’ll have it slightly tougher.

The average price of a 330 ml bottle or can in Western Cape was R13,77 in June 2017, R3,77 more expensive than that recorded for Free State, where beer was the cheapest.

But it’s how much South Africans spend on beer as a proportion of their household income that makes for interesting reading.

The consumer inflation weights published by Stats SA in December 2016 (for the total country) provide some insight into beer that is consumed at home. Beer accounts for 2,1% of total household spending. This is the same as what is spent on personal care (2,1%), but higher than tobacco (1,9%), vegetables (1,5%), sweets and desserts (0,7%) and fruit (0,3%).

You can insert your joke about needing to drink our sorrows away here.

StatsSA also put together this little infographic on the data. Click on the image to see it at its full size.

Which province spends the most of their booze budgets on beer?

Beer is the most popular choice in all provinces. Households in Mpumalanga are big fans: they spend 71% of their alcoholic beverage budgets on beer. Northern Cape is in second spot (66%), followed by North West (64%). Despite being the most popular choice, beer faces some competition from wine and spirit coolers in Western Cape and spirits in Eastern Cape.

Remember to drink responsibly.