Food prices steady, but production costs pose risks

MBABANE – Food prices in Eswatini recorded relatively modest movements in October, but mounting agricultural production costs and regional supply constraints could threaten future food affordability.

This is according to the latest Monthly Price Tracker (MPT) published by the Eswatini Competition Commission (ESCC), which monitors the prices of essential food commodities across participating retail outlets to identify unusual movements that could warrant further assessment from a competition and consumer welfare perspective.

The October 2026 assessment presents a mixed picture of the domestic food market, with most monitored commodities registering relatively small price changes between September and October.

However, the commission warns that the relatively modest movements at retail level could mask emerging cost pressures within agricultural production and regional supply chains.

The report identifies persistently high fertiliser prices in East and Southern Africa, rising fuel costs and potential adverse weather conditions as factors that could increase the cost of producing and distributing food.

For Eswatini, which relies on South Africa for fertiliser imports, these developments could raise agricultural production expenses ahead of the 2026/27 planting season. The potential consequences include reduced agricultural output, threats to food security and further upward pressure on consumer food prices.

According to the ESCC’s price tracker, most essential food commodities recorded relatively moderate price adjustments during the month under review.

Rice, sugar, maize meal, cooking oil and milk registered increases across their monitored pack sizes, although the extent of the adjustments differed.

The price of a 10kg bag of rice increased by four per cent, from E112.58 in September to E117.13 in October. A 5kg bag also edged upwards by 0.3 per cent.

For sugar, the average price of a 3kg pack increased by 3.7 per cent, from E61.62 to E63.89, while a 5kg pack rose by 2.8 per cent, from E98.74 to E101.54. Maize meal recorded smaller increases, with a 5kg pack rising by 1.2 per cent, from E70.52 to E71.35, while a 10kg pack increased by one per cent, from E132.27 to E133.65.

Cooking oil also registered moderate increases. The price of a 750ml bottle rose by 1.3 per cent, from E35.00 to E35.46, while the 2 litre pack increased by 1 per cent, from E73.41 to E74.15.

Milk prices followed a similar trend, with a one litre pack increasing by 1.6 per cent, from E20.74 to E21.06. A six-pack of one litre milk rose by 2.2 per cent, from E113.38 to E115.93.

However, the movements were not exclusively upward. Some food products became cheaper during October, providing some relief to consumers.

Cabbage recorded a 6.3 per cent decline, with the average price per head falling from E15.81 to E14.82. Spinach decreased by 5.9 per cent, from E10.47 to E9.85 per bunch. In the meat category, most monitored beef cuts recorded slight reductions. Stewing beef declined by 1.1 per cent, from E125.71 to E124.28 per kilogramme, while brisket decreased by 0.5 per cent, from E130.34 to E129.63. Chuck recorded a 1.8 per cent reduction, moving from E134.90 to E132.45 per kilogramme.

Fresh poultry prices also eased by 0.7 per cent, from E56.86 to E56.44 per kilogramme. A 2kg poultry pack declined by 1.4 per cent, from E78.40 to E77.34, although the 5kg pack increased by 2.2 per cent, from E178.33 to E182.19. The price of a 60-pack of eggs decreased by 2.7 per cent, from E123.67 to E120.38, while a six-pack increased marginally by 0.9 per cent, from E18.01 to E18.16.

Commodity price movement between September – October 2026