Price comparisons: Wors is cheaper in Cape Town than in Joburg
The latest Household Affordability Index shows interesting food price comparisons. Meat seems to generally be cheaper in Cape Town.
Various factors such as transportation costs and local availability influence the prices of consumer goods in a certain region. Here is a look at price differences of common food items in different South African provinces based on the latest Household Affordability Index.
THE HOUSEHOLD AFFORDABILITY INDEX
The Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group (PMBEJD) tracks food prices nationally in South Africa. Then it compiles reports on a monthly basis on food prices. Data collectors gathered the data from 47 supermarkets and 32 butcheries that cater to the low-income market in cities including Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town, Springbok, and Pietermaritzburg. The latest data used in this article is from the May 2024 report.
PRICES OF THE STARCH ON YOUR PLATE
A 30kg bag of maize meal (pap) is much cheaper in Durban compared to Cape Town and Joburg. According to the latest data, 30 kg of maize meal will cost you around R322,20 in Joburg, R268,72 in Durban, and R309,97 in Cape Town. In Durban you will pay around R157,99 for 10kg rice compared to R189,74 in Joburg and R183,99 in Cape Town.
In addition:
- a 10kg bag of potatoes costs around R107,32 in Joburg, R102,08 in Durban, and R102,36 in Cape Town.
- Samp (5kg) costs around R59,24 in Joburg, R61,24 in Durban, and R69,08 in Cape Town.
LOOKING AT ESSENTIALS THAT ARE CHEAPER IN CT
Subsequently, here are comparisons of prices of essential food items between these three provinces:
| Joburg | Durban | Cape Town | |
| White sugar (10kg) | R222,32 | R207,82 | R225,24 |
| Cooking oil (5l) | R156,06 | R158,91 | R143,10 |
| Salt (1kg) | R18,82 | R16,24 | R10,72 |
| Margarine (1kg) | R39,68 | R41,57 | R38,07 |
Price comparisons of common food items.
FIND MEAT CHEAPER IN CAPE TOWN
Meat prices are generally influenced by factors such as demand, animal diseases, costs of animal feed, etc. Here are some differences in meat prices between Joburg, Durban, and Cape Town:
| Joburg | Durban | Cape Town | |
| Chicken feet (2kg) | R102,69 | R91,43 | R42,73 |
| Gizzards (2kg) | R107,19 | R96,93 | R81,41 |
| Chicken livers (2kg) | R77,71 | R78,77 | R69,23 |
| Beef (2kg) | R202,23 | R184,20 | R159,97 |
| Wors (2kg) | R159,46 | R144,43 | R95,48 |
| Beef tripe (2kg) | R99,46 | R105,92 | R84,65 |
Price comparisons of meat.
PRICES OF THE HEALTHIER FOOD ITEMS
Interestingly, oranges are cheaper in Joburg – R58,67 for 7kg – compared to R73,04 and R76,78 in Durban and Cape Town, respectively. So too are cabbage and tomatoes: two heads of cabbage cost about R39,81 in Joburg, R47,25 in Durban, and R47,98 in Cape Town, while the price of 6kg tomatoes is R165,37 in Joburg, R171,44 in Durban, and R174,73 in Cape Town.
Apples and green peppers generally cost less in Durban, while Cape Town has cheaper bananas, spinach, and butternut.