BusinessLive reports that the consumer price index (CPI) rose 4.6% in June from a year earlier, thanks mainly to rising fuel prices.  

While it picked up the pace from May’s 4.4% increase, the acceleration was slightly slower than predicted as expectations were for an increase of 4.8%.  Fuel prices, which make up 4.58% of the CPI, increased by 16.3% in June from a year earlier, Statistics SA data showed on Wednesday.  That followed a 9.4% increase in May from the previous year.  Petrol prices rose by 82c a litre to a new record in June, while diesel prices rose by between 82c a litre and 87c a litre.  There is little relief on the horizon for consumers, after further — though much smaller — increases took effect in July.  Food inflation, which makes up more than 17% of the index, has slowed dramatically from the double-digit rates last seen in about April last year, and prices for food non-alcoholic beverages were flat in June — from inflation of 3.4% in May.

• Read this report by Tammy Foyn in full at BusinessLive
• Read too, June inflation accelerates at fastest pace in 2018, at Moneyweb

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page