HeraldLive reports that there may be more water in South Africa’s well this season, but consumers are unlikely to feel the effects until at least the third quarter.  

In its recent Agricultural Outlook 2017 report, Absa said rainfall predictions for the coming season had improved substantially.  However, the drought’s cumulative effect would still have a negative effect on the new season, even if good rains fell.  The Agricultural Business Chamber’s Wandile Sihlobo said food inflation was likely to remain high in the first few months of the year and would slowly start to decline once harvesting began in about April.  “In the third quarter, consumers will really start to benefit.  Food inflation in November was 11.6%.  It could come down to between 7% and 9%,” he indicated.

• Read this report by Colleen Goko in full at HeraldLive
• See too, Possible sharp fall in SA food inflation rate, at Fin24
• And also, Will we see some mild inflation relief for the poor in 2017? at Moneyweb

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page