Rising food prices hit rural households hardest

This summer South Africa recorded its worst drought in 23 years, leaving millions without food or water and forcing the country to import food as farms run dry. 

A drop in agricultural activity coupled with a weak rand at record levels, the price of import such as wheat has also gone up. As a result, households that are heavily dependent on grain-based foods will be hit the hardest. 

According to Statistics South Africa, the country's rural provinces are most depended on grain-based products. 

"Grain-based products account for over one-third of the food budget for households in rural areas. For every R100 spent on food, households in rural areas spend R37 on grain-based products. Households in primary urban areas spend R25," said StatsSA.

(Graphic: StatsSA)

Off all the provinces, Limpopo spends the most on products made from maize, rice and wheat. Limpopo households spend R39 on grain-based products for every R100 spent on food. 

In contrast Gauteng households spend roughly R26 while the Northern Cape only spends R18 on these staple foods for every R100 spent on food.

Statistics South Africa also found that rising food prices would severely affect families already struggling to put food on the table.

(Graphic: StatsSA)

Data shows that more than 20% of households ran out of money in the past 12 months. North West was the biggest concern as more than 40% of household ran out of money.

Last year food prices increased by almost 20% and they were not expected to drop any time soon.

Grain SA said Thursday's State of the Nation Address will be the most important one yet, given the situation in the agriculture sector.

The association said it needs President Jacob Zuma's assurance on how government plans to maintain food production for South Africans.

(File photo: Gallo Images)