South African statistics agency updates its inflation basket

By Kopanu Gumbi

South Africa’s statistics agency has updated its consumer inflation basket for the first time since 2022, including items like rosé wine, air fryers and streaming services to reflect changes in spending habits.

Patrick Kelly, head of price statistics at Statistics South Africa, said it was difficult to gauge what impact the update would have on upcoming inflation releases given subtle shifts in the weighting of some items.

Consumer inflation (ZACPIY=ECI), opens new tab currently sits at the bottom of the central bank’s target range, which has allowed it to cut interest rates at its last two meetings.

Another rate cut (ZAREPO=ECI), opens new tab is expected this week.

The update involved adding 71 products to the basket, removing 53 and reorganising 29 through merging, splitting or reclassification, the statistics agency said on Tuesday.

There are now 391 items in the basket, down from 396 previously.

Housing and utilities, food and non-alcoholic beverages, and transport continue to