There are few things that worry agricultural economists more than a potential sharp rise in food prices. Many households are already under pressure and spend a notable share of their income on food.
As we continue to struggle with foot-and-mouth disease in the cattle industry and African swine fever in the pig industry, concerns about the path of consumer food price inflation in 2026 are naturally and correctly on many people’s minds.
On February 27 Business Day ran a headline that underscored this concern, arguing that disruptions in supply chains could put upward pressure on meat prices. This is a legitimate concern. Still, we remain optimistic that meat prices may not surge as sharply as some fear, which would be welcome news for households. The slaughter rates in the cattle and pig industries remain reasonably robust, although farmers are under financial strain due to the spread of diseases.
For example, data from the South African Pork Producers’ Organisation shows that South Africa’s pig slaughter reached 331,453 in December, 11% higher than in November and 2.9% higher than in December 2024. Annual cumulative slaughter figures reached 3,849,684 during December 2025, 0.4% lower compared to the same period of the previous year.
The cattle slaughter figures also show a mild reduction in 2025, when foot-and-mouth disease began to intensify, down by roughly 5% from 2024.
This is important context to keep in mind because it shows that meat supplies are not constrained. But again, the activity for the year depends on our current efforts to contain the spread of these diseases and on vaccination efforts against foot-and-mouth disease.
Overall, while meat prices may remain somewhat elevated, the rate of increase may slow in the coming months. We view the ongoing slaughter and stronger base effects as likely to keep meat prices in check in 2026
We observed a surge in meat prices last year, but this was primarily due to panic buying driven by retailers’ announcements rather than a product shortage. Buoyant consumer demand was the main driver of meat prices. This remains a reality, to an extent.
Another fact worth keeping in mind is that during foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks the country is typically temporarily closed to some export markets, leading to a slight increase in domestic meat supplies and lower consumer prices. But in 2025 we saw the opposite because of the factors I highlighted above.
Another issue in 2025 was the higher prices for poultry. This was due to a temporary ban on poultry imports from Brazil following an avian influenza outbreak there. South Africa still imports about 20% of its annual poultry consumption, and Brazil is one of the largest suppliers. Therefore this caused some panic. However, imports were resumed soon after Brazil brought the spread of avian influenza under control.
So the risks remain in meat prices, but we continue to believe that a lot hinges on the current vaccination efforts under way against foot-and-mouth disease. We also believe we could see decent slaughter levels in the coming months, although I must emphasise again that cattle and pig farmers are under immense financial pressure. The limits on animal movement, as a key measure to control the spread of the disease, pose risks to available animals on farms. Still, this is a necessary measure.
Overall, while meat prices may remain somewhat elevated, the rate of increase may slow in the coming months. We view the ongoing slaughter and stronger base effects as likely to keep meat prices in check in 2026.
In the broader context of consumer food price inflation we expect South Africa’s consumer food price inflation to moderate in 2026. Lower grain, fruit and vegetable prices on the back of ample domestic and global supplies, and moderating vegetable oil prices, are among the factors that will underpin the softening of price inflation.
South Africa had an abundant harvest, with the 2024-25 summer grains and oilseed harvest estimated at 20.08-million tonnes (up 30% year on year). The new season also looks encouraging, since we have been receiving favourable rainfall since the start of the season. For example, South Africa’s 2025-26 summer grains and oilseeds production is forecast at 19.82-million tonnes. While this is 3% less than the 2024-25 season, it remains an encouraging estimate.
We must not forget that the 2024-25 summer grains and oilseeds were the second-largest on record, therefore being marginally lower than they were is not cause for concern. This production figure comprises maize, sunflower seed, soybean, groundnuts, sorghum and dry beans. We see minor annual downward revisions in most crops, except for sunflower seed and groundnuts.
The outlook for 2026 remains tricky, but there are sufficient positive factors to convince us that South Africa’s food price inflation path may soften in 2026
Regarding vegetables and fruits, there has been severe flooding in parts of Limpopo and Mpumalanga in recent weeks. But the floods fortunately came after the completion of the potato season. Thus there appears to be no significant vegetable damage.
The primary concern remains in the citrus regions, particularly the quality of the upcoming season given the flooding observed in the fields. But these issues matter more for exports than for the domestic food price inflation.
The crops in these regions didn’t see notable damage. Therefore, while the tail-end effects of the floods are worth monitoring, we aren’t as nervous about their impact on food price inflation this year. Of course from a household perspective it is a different conversation. There was significant destruction of infrastructure.
Overall we expect South Africa’s consumer food price inflation to slow in 2026. Consumer food price inflation was 4.4% in January, unchanged from December, and we may see some softening going forward.
An important clarification is worth emphasising: lower food inflation does not necessarily translate to lower prices. Inflation is the rate of price increases. Therefore while that pace may moderate, food item prices will generally continue to rise. I emphasise this because some people tend to dismiss the slowing inflation figures and say they don’t feel the same price inflation moderation in their spending.
Certainly the outlook for 2026 remains tricky, but there are sufficient positive factors to convince us that South Africa’s food price inflation path may soften in 2026, with meat presenting some level of risk to that assessment.
• Sihlobo is presidential envoy on agriculture and land, chief economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa and a senior fellow in Stellenbosch University’s department of agricultural economics.
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