Pork emerges as budget-friendly braai choice in South Africa

As South Africans look for ways to stretch household budgets, a major pork producer has suggested that pork could help ease rising food costs, particularly for braai occasions. The latest Braai Index shows an annual increase of 1.6 percent, highlighting steady pressure on consumers, but the index has come under criticism for excluding pork as a key protein option.

Recent figures show beef prices rising sharply by about 20 percent year on year, with wors and chicken also recording notable increases. Overall braai inflation climbed by 1.2 percent month on month, reinforcing concerns about affordability. In response, the pork industry argues that the index overlooks a more economical alternative, noting that pork fillet inflation has remained comparatively low at just over 1 percent.

The producer has called for a broader and more representative approach to tracking braai essentials, stressing that the aim is not to replace beef but to reflect realistic choices available to consumers. The argument centres on preserving the social and cultural importance of the braai while ensuring that families can continue to gather around the fire without sacrificing quality or affordability.