Annual consumer inflation rose to 5% in June 2026 from 4,5% in May, reaching its highest level in two years, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) has announced.
Stats SA said the June figure was the highest inflation reading since June 2024, when the rate stood at 5,1%.
Prices rose by 0,7% on average between May and June, the same increase recorded between April and May.
“Transport was the largest contributor to both the annual and monthly changes in the consumer price index (CPI), mainly underpinned by higher fuel prices. The annual rate for transport accelerated to 12,7% in June from 9,4% in May. Fuel prices climbed by 34,3% in the 12 months to June, driven by increases of 50,8% in diesel prices and 31,7% in petrol prices,” Stats SA said on Wednesday.
Higher fuel prices also pushed up passenger transport inflation, which rose by 8,1% month on month in June.
As a result, the annual rate for the category increased to 12,5% from 4,0% in May.
Sharp monthly increases were recorded for minibus taxi fares (+11,5%), e-hailing services (+8,7%), long-distance bus fares (+8,4%) and school transport (+3,7%).
“Annual food and non-alcoholic beverages (NAB) inflation slowed further in June, dipping to 1,6% from 1,9% in May and 2,9% in April. Cereal products recorded a fifth consecutive month of deflation at -1,5%. Several notable products are cheaper than a year ago, including white rice (-13,4%), maize meal (-5,9%), samp (-1,5%) and porridge (-1,3%).
“Meat inflation also extended a downward trend, moderating further to 5,1% from a peak of 13,5% in January 2026. Inflation for beef products is settling, with the annual rate for beef mince cooling to 3,9% from May’s 10,6%. Stewing beef entered deflationary territory, with its annual rate declining to -2,7%,” Stats SA said.
Pork inflation eased for the third consecutive month but remained in double digits at 13,9%.
The annual rate for mutton and lamb rose to 8,4%. Processed meat products that experienced high rates in June include sausages at 11,8%, corned meat at 10,2% and bacon at 8,6%.
Hot beverages inflation, which has remained above 6,0% since June 2022, reached 7,4% in June 2026.
The annual rate for black tea was 8,3% in June 2026, while instant coffee was 7,0%.
The graph below shows the food and beverage products that recorded the sharpest price changes. Pork, tomatoes, sausages, corned meat and hake registered the largest annual increases in June, while seasonal fruit, beetroot, white rice, potatoes and dried beans saw the largest decreases over the same period.
Actual housing rents and owners’ equivalent rent are included in the CPI calculation at the end of each quarter.
In June, actual rents rose by 1,1% from the March quarter, bringing the annual increase to 4,1%.
Over the past 12 months, rent increased by 5,4% for townhouses, 4,6% for flats and 3,7% for houses.
Stats SA said the June figure was the highest inflation reading since June 2024, when the rate stood at 5,1%.
Prices rose by 0,7% on average between May and June, the same increase recorded between April and May.
“Transport was the largest contributor to both the annual and monthly changes in the consumer price index (CPI), mainly underpinned by higher fuel prices. The annual rate for transport accelerated to 12,7% in June from 9,4% in May. Fuel prices climbed by 34,3% in the 12 months to June, driven by increases of 50,8% in diesel prices and 31,7% in petrol prices,” Stats SA said on Wednesday.
Higher fuel prices also pushed up passenger transport inflation, which rose by 8,1% month on month in June.
As a result, the annual rate for the category increased to 12,5% from 4,0% in May.
Sharp monthly increases were recorded for minibus taxi fares (+11,5%), e-hailing services (+8,7%), long-distance bus fares (+8,4%) and school transport (+3,7%).
“Annual food and non-alcoholic beverages (NAB) inflation slowed further in June, dipping to 1,6% from 1,9% in May and 2,9% in April. Cereal products recorded a fifth consecutive month of deflation at -1,5%. Several notable products are cheaper than a year ago, including white rice (-13,4%), maize meal (-5,9%), samp (-1,5%) and porridge (-1,3%).
“Meat inflation also extended a downward trend, moderating further to 5,1% from a peak of 13,5% in January 2026. Inflation for beef products is settling, with the annual rate for beef mince cooling to 3,9% from May’s 10,6%. Stewing beef entered deflationary territory, with its annual rate declining to -2,7%,” Stats SA said.
Pork inflation eased for the third consecutive month but remained in double digits at 13,9%.
The annual rate for mutton and lamb rose to 8,4%. Processed meat products that experienced high rates in June include sausages at 11,8%, corned meat at 10,2% and bacon at 8,6%.
Hot beverages inflation, which has remained above 6,0% since June 2022, reached 7,4% in June 2026.
The annual rate for black tea was 8,3% in June 2026, while instant coffee was 7,0%.
The graph below shows the food and beverage products that recorded the sharpest price changes. Pork, tomatoes, sausages, corned meat and hake registered the largest annual increases in June, while seasonal fruit, beetroot, white rice, potatoes and dried beans saw the largest decreases over the same period.
Actual housing rents and owners’ equivalent rent are included in the CPI calculation at the end of each quarter.
In June, actual rents rose by 1,1% from the March quarter, bringing the annual increase to 4,1%.
Over the past 12 months, rent increased by 5,4% for townhouses, 4,6% for flats and 3,7% for houses.
