Despite sardine numbers being under pressure in South African waters, local consumers have readily swapped out their favourite protein choices for canned fish alternatives, according to the Competition Commission’s latest food price monitoring report.
The report, which was released on Monday, indicated that pilchards are becoming increasingly popular due to the product’s shelf life and price amid load shedding and elevated food inflation.
While food inflation has recently abated, food prices are still rising at a rate which may be a threat to food security, it warned. Although canned fish prices have recently increased, producers have absorbed some of this, and a trend of consumers switching to chicken and fish is likely to remain an important feature of grocery shopping in the coming months.
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