Let's not mince matters

The tighter food controls SA needs will cost consumers, says Saijil Singh.

• Donkey, buffalo found in SA meat
• Cosatu slams retailers over meat scandal
• Contaminated meat suppliers face jail
• Supermarkets respond to meat report
• Tougher meat labelling laws on cards
• Proudly SA calls for wider food probe

SA food cash crunch

Here's how to eat healthy food on a rock-bottom budget.

Sarb sounds inflation warning

Labour unrest‚ credit rating downgrades and a widening current account do not bode well for inflation going forward‚ Reserve Bank deputy governor Daniel Mminele warns.

• Economist warns on weaker rand
• Expert: Marcus begins first real test
• Interest rates on hold at 5%

Prepare to pay more for food

The truck drivers' strike is causing losses for fresh produce suppliers which in turn is driving up prices, Agri SA says.

• Truck strike ends but Satawu holds out
• End in sight for transport strike
• Strike to expand to port workers

World food prices stabilise

World food prices stabilised in August at levels close to those reached in the food crisis of 2008, says the UN food agency.

• How can motorists survive the next round of petrol and resultant food price hikes?
• FNB: Signs of food price rise
• Positive July PPI surprise but food a risk

Another food crisis looms - expert

With drought parching farms in the US, weak monsoon rains in India and insidious hunger in Africa's Sahel region, the world could be headed towards another food crisis.

• US drought: Obama calls for new farm bill
• Companies reject food price warning
• Higher food prices to hit consumers
• US drought woes deepen
• US in costliest drought since 1988
• Food price hikes on the horizon

Higher food prices to hit consumers

Droughts, mergers and input costs are expected to push up food prices in the coming months, an economist says.

• US drought woes deepen
• Food price hikes on the horizon
• Food prices hit over-inflation levels

India prepares tough drought measures

Indian ministers will meet to discuss measures to deal with a feared drought, including curbs on commodity derivatives, but are not expected to ban farm export.

• India to announce measures to boost economy
• India admits to no fiscal firepower
• India forecasts lower growth

US in costliest drought since 1988

The drought talking hold of central parts of America is likely to cost $12bn, making it the most expensive since 1988, experts say.

• Food price hikes on the horizon
• Poor rains may raise food prices
• Global food prices drop in May

Food price shock

Tips for good eating on a rock-bottom budget.

Poor rains may raise food prices

A reduced maize surplus, because of poor rains, could lead to an increase in food prices, Grain SA says.

• SA farmers court Asian market
• Zimbabwe's maize harvest down 26%
• Drought hits SA maize output
• Harare writes off third of maize crop
• Food price pressures
• SA maize deficit looms on Mexico exports

DA: High food prices undermine poor

Rapidly rising food prices are undermining poor South Africans' human right to be free from hunger, says the DA.

• Food prices fall but inflation a worry
• World Bank: Food prices on the rise again
• Nestlé helped by price hikes

Food's final frontier

Can an African green revolution help feed the world?

• World Bank: Food prices on the rise again
• World food prices keep on rising - UN
• Food technology
• Drought hits SA maize output
• SA maize deficit looms on Mexico exports
• Curbing food waste

Union: Tolls a risk for food security

The farmers' union TAU SA has voiced concern over the impact toll fees would have on food prices.

• Sanral revises e-toll terms
• Cosatu investment CEO quits
• Sanral: E-tags won't be compulsory

SA factory gate prices see slower rise

SA's producer price index eased down to 8.3% in February, says Statistics SA.

• SA factory gate prices ease
• Factory gate prices tick up
• Stats SA to modify CPI, PPI weightings

SA maize deficit looms on Mexico exports

SA has committed to supplying additional maize to drought-hit Mexico, which may lead to a deficit and push local food prices higher.

• Higher prices boost SA's maize plantings
• Maize meal lacks nutrients - NCF
• SA's maize crop down

Less pressure for rates rise as CPI slows

SA's consumer inflation unexpectedly dropped in February, giving the Reserve Bank more leeway to keep interest rates at a historic low for for longer.

• Consumer inflation unexpectedly edges down
• Inflation weighs on eurozone economy
• Eskom power tariff hike cut down

Agricultural sector on the mend

Agriculture in SA is recovering, with declines due only to natural phenomena like drought and disease.

• Nkwinti spells out land reform target
• Recovering Free State still fragile
• SA remains net food exporter

Nestlé posts strong Q4 sales growth

The world's largest food group Nestlé has reported higher-than-forecast fourth-quarter sales for a "challenging" 2011, but does not expect this year to be easier.

• Nestlé buys 60% of Chinese confectioner
• Watchdog withdraws milk processors case
• Nestle's 2010 profits soar

Weaker economy dampens food prices

The World Bank says global food prices are set to decline as a slowdown in the economy cuts back consumer demand but a rise in oil prices could reverse the trend.

• SA imports Romanian yellow maize
• UN: Food prices stabilising at high levels
• New packaging packs less at our cost

UN: Food prices stabilising at high levels

Global food prices are holding steady at high levels and there is still a risk of price rises, says the United Nation's food agency.

• World Bank urges G20 to tackle food prices
• SA's consumer inflation ticks up

World Bank urges G20 to tackle food prices

Group of 20 leaders need to find ways to deal with food price volatility which is hurting poor countries, says World Bank president Robert Zoellick.

• World Bank grants second loan to Eskom
• World Bank/IMF to assess aid for Libya
• SA improves in World Bank ranking

Tackling high food prices

It's unclear if falling commodities will mean lower grocery bills.

• Economists urge G20 to tackle food prices
• Gordhan: Inflation remains stubborn
• Food prices may push up SA inflation
• Global food prices near 3-year highs
• UN warns of more volatile food prices
• Sugar drives food prices higher

UN warns of more volatile food prices

A United Nations report on food security says poor people in small, import-dependent countries will be vulnerable as food prices are likely to become more volatile.

• Food prices may push up SA inflation
• Global food prices near 3-year highs
• Sugar drives food prices higher