APA-Johannesburg (South Africa) South Africa’s annualised inflation rose to 7.1 percent in March on the back of steep increases in prices of food items, official data showed on Wednesday.
According to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), headline consumer inflation continued on an upward trajectory, rising from seven percent in February and 6.9 percent in January.
The month-on-month change in the consumer price index was one percent in March, the most significant monthly rise since July 2022 when it was 1.5 percent, the agency added.
“Food and non-alcoholic beverages and transport were the main drivers behind the annual and monthly increases,” Stats SA said.
Food and non-alcoholic beverages’ inflation continued to accelerate, with prices increasing by 14 percent in the 12 months to March, it noted.
“This represents the largest annual increase since the 14.7 perecnt rise in March 2009,” the agency said.
NM/jn/APA