By Rorisang Modiba
- Food expert Mervyn Abrahams says stock already in South African stores before the crisis should not carry higher prices for consumers.
- Abrahams warned that imported foods like rice from Southeast Asia could go up in price within about a month.
Retailers have no reason to raise prices on food already on supermarket shelves, a food expert told an inquiry.
Mervyn Abrahams from the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group spoke at a South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) inquiry.
He said rising global oil prices will affect food production and transport, but the impact will vary depending on how much stock is already in the country.
“Some of the stock that is currently in the stores precedes the crisis. And therefore we do not need to see an increase in those,” Abrahams said.
He said any price rises should vary by food type and happen at different times. Imported foods are set to go up first, BusinessDay reported.
“If we look at rice, for instance, it is totally imported, mainly from Southeast Asia. So when petrol … and shipping prices go up … we are bound to see that increase in about a month, depending on the stock of rice we have in the country,” he said.
Abrahams also called for food prices to be closely watched.
“We must be careful about price-fixing and price hiking. That is something we’re going to have to keep a close eye on,” he said.
Fertiliser prices may also rise, but this is not expected to affect current summer crops like maize, which have already been planted.
Economist John Loos said public transport users may not feel the full impact of rising fuel costs. Operators have historically absorbed some increases, which helps keep fares more stable than private transport.
Many South Africans are already finding it hard to afford nutritious food. Concerns raised at the inquiry show that low-income and middle-income households are struggling with high prices.
Pictured above: A woman grocery shopping.
Image source: File
