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Why is South Africa food insecure? 
 Despite being a net exporter of food, South Africa's food insecurity has risen over time

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Key Takeaways:

  • Despite being a major food producer, South Africa faces rising food insecurity due to high prices, poor infrastructure, and unequal access—especially in rural areas.

  • Since 2019, household hunger has increased, driven by food price inflation that far outpaces wage growth and disproportionately affects low-income families.

  • Social grants, including the Child Support Grant, are essential but no longer sufficient to meet the rising cost of a nutritious diet.

  • A comprehensive response—focused on improving incomes, expanding food subsidies, reforming VAT, and supporting local food systems—is urgently needed to prevent further hunger and malnutrition.

South Africa produces enough food to feed the population

Food insecurity in South Africa has worsened in recent years, with more households struggling to access affordable and nutritious food. This is in spite of South Africa being a net exporter of food and producing enough food to feed the population. High transport costs, inefficient supply chains, and market-driven pricing keep food out of reach for many.

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There are certain items South Africa is reliant on to import: these include rice and palm oil. In recent years, South Africa’s imports of poultry and wheat have also increased, as domestic supply has declined. This makes South Africa’s supply of these goods vulnerable to supply shocks.

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Regional disparities further highlight the issue. While urban areas have better access to food due to developed retail markets, rural communities face logistical hurdles that make food both scarce and expensive. Weak infrastructure, limited market access for small-scale farmers, and reliance on imported goods contribute to these challenges.

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Household hunger was decreasing - but increased after COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a substantial uptick in food insecurity in South Africa. Surveys from during the pandemic found that hunger increased during the pandemic and remained high. We can see this in the General Household Survey data too: the number of households reporting experiencing hunger was steadily decreasing, but since 2019 has increased.

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The Price of Essential Goods Has Increased

One of the biggest reasons for food insecurity in South Africa is the rising cost of food. Rising food prices disproportionately impact low-income households. In 2014, Statistics South Africa estimated that poor households spend 34% of their monthly income on food, while non-poor households spend 10% of their monthly income on food. Food price hikes thus disproportionately affect low-income households, as they spend a higher percentage of their income on food.

Between 2020 and 2025, for example, the cost of a basket of essential foods for a low-income household increased by more than 50%.

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Some staples saw even steeper increases:

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  • Sugar beans: +162% (from R88.39 to R232.02)

  • Maize meal: +87% (from R52.65 to R98.30)

  • Rice: +75% (from R102.50 to R179.47)

  • Frozen chicken pieces: +58% (from R75.35 to R118.91)

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Social Grants are important - but they do not mitigate food insecurity

In 2023, Statistics South Africa found that 26% of households reliant on grants experienced moderate food insecurity - up from 22% in 2022. This indicates that while grants are essential in supporting low-income households, they do not guarantee food security. The cost of food is simply rising too quickly for social grants to keep up. 

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For many low-income families, the Child Support Grant (CSG) is an essential safety net. However, in 2025, the CSG is still 45% below the amount needed to feed a child a nutritious diet. If children do not receive proper nutrition, they are at higher risk of stunted growth, poor school performance, and weakened immune systems. 

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This means that the grant is not sufficient to provide children with the essential vitamins, minerals, and calories needed for healthy development. The gap between what is needed and what is provided continues to widen as food prices rise.

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Finally, government policies play a crucial role in food affordability. Recently, there has been much talk of the impact of a higher VAT rate on food prices. While certain staple foods are zero-rated, many essential items remain taxed, making them more expensive for consumers. With a 15% VAT rate, low-income households spend approximately R331 on VAT each month, or 6% of their food budget.

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The Cost of a Nutritional Diet for Families Has Surged

For many families, the sharp rise in food costs means they are forced to buy cheaper, less nutritious alternatives or reduce portion sizes to make their money stretch further. For low-income households, the rising cost of food means that the cost of a nutritious basket of food is too high. The long-term impact of food insecurity is severe, leading to increased malnutrition, poor health outcomes, and difficulties in education and employment.

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To address the rising cost of food, households reduce the types of food they buy, and focus on buying staples, which are largely carbohydrates. This leads to households eating less variety of food. Less varied diets can lead to undernutrition, where people are missing essential nutrients required to maintain their health. For children, undernutrition can lead to long-term health consequences, such as wasting, stunting and increased vulnerability to diseases.

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The Path Forward: What Needs to Change?

Addressing food insecurity in South Africa requires a multi-faceted approach. Economic reforms to boost employment and wages are crucial, but so are agricultural policies that prioritize local food production and distribution. Expanding food subsidies, improving rural infrastructure, and strengthening food supply chains can all contribute to better access and affordability.

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Additionally, tax policies should be revisited to ensure that VAT exemptions truly benefit the most vulnerable populations. Policymakers must also explore ways to stabilize food prices and support sustainable agricultural practices that protect food security in the long term.

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South Africa’s food insecurity crisis is not simply a matter of food availability—it is an issue of access and affordability. Without urgent intervention, millions of South Africans will continue to face hunger. Tackling this crisis requires a comprehensive strategy that includes economic, agricultural, and fiscal reforms to ensure that everyone has access to sufficient, nutritious food.

References:

Decoding Impact

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed on this blog are my own and do not reflect those of my employer. I blog in my personal capacity, and my content is not affiliated with my workplace.

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