JOHANNESBURG - South Africa's household affordability index shows a slight decline in food costs, but lower income households still face severe financial pressure.
The latest data shows the household food basket fell by 0.9% in August.
That is down R50,72 month-on-month and R99,18 year-on-year.
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While some food prices eased, staples such as potatoes, beef and bread became more expensive.
The figures also point to a widening gap between wages and the cost of living.
Rising transport and electricity costs continue to strain household budgets, leaving many families struggling to make ends meet and with less money available for food.