In just 10 years, the power of R500 in South Africa has dramatically declined, painting a stark picture of rising food prices and shrinking household budgets.
What once bought a trolley full of groceries in 2015 now barely fills a shopping basket in 2025 – and families are feeling the pinch more than ever.
R500 in 2015: A full cart of groceries
Back in 2015, R500 went a long way.
Staple items like bread, milk, maize meal, chicken, eggs, and fresh produce could all be purchased in a single shopping trip, providing a well-rounded set of essentials for an average household.
Example 2015 grocery list for R500
- White Bread (700g) – R11.25
- Maize Meal (5kg) – R25.00
- Rice (1kg) – R20.00
- Full Cream Milk (1L) – R12.00
- Eggs (1 Dozen) – R24.00
- Chicken Portions (1kg) – R45.00
- Apples (1kg) – R15.00
- Potatoes (1kg) – R10.00
- Cooking Oil (2L) – R40.00
- Sugar (2kg) – R25.00
- Mince (1kg) – R60.00
Total: R487.25
R500 in 2025: A struggle for essentials
Fast forward to 2025, and the landscape has changed.
Prices have surged – with some basic items like cooking oil, mince, and eggs doubling or even tripling in cost.
Same grocery list in 2025
- White Bread (700g) – R24.00
- Maize Meal (5kg) – R50.00
- Rice (1kg) – R45.00
- Full Cream Milk (1L) – R30.00
- Eggs (1 Dozen) – R60.00
- Chicken Portions (1kg) – R90.00
- Apples (1kg) – R37.00
- Potatoes (1kg) – R40.00
- Cooking Oil (2L) – R120.00
- Sugar (2kg) – R65.00
- Mince (1kg) – R130.00
- Total: R691.00
R500 now falls short by nearly R200 to purchase the same items as in 2015 – a staggering decline in real value.
Why has R500 lost its value?
Several key factors have driven this erosion in purchasing power:
- Inflation & Rand Depreciation: An average inflation rate of 6-8% yearly has chipped away at the rand’s strength
- Fuel & Transport Costs: Rising petrol prices have pushed up food transport costs, inflating retail prices
- Climate Change: Droughts have disrupted farming and driven up the prices of locally produced food
- Supply Chain Disruptions: Global shocks such as COVID-19 and geopolitical tensions have caused shortages and price spikes
- Rising Input Costs: Higher costs for fertiliser, electricity, and labour have been passed down to consumers
Inflation calculator tells the story
Using a basic inflation calculator, R500 from 2015 is roughly equivalent to R900-R1 000 in 2025 terms.
This illustrates just how much buying power has been lost – R500 today buys only about half of what it did 10 years ago.
How South Africans are coping
As grocery prices climb, households are finding creative ways to stretch their money:
- Buying in bulk and storing dry goods like maize, flour, and rice
- Switching to no-name brands and prioritising cheaper protein alternatives
- Reducing meat consumption in favour of plant-based proteins
- Growing home gardens for fresh vegetables and herbs
- Shopping at wholesalers instead of chain supermarkets
The bottom line
R500 in 2025 simply does not buy what it used to – and millions of South Africans are feeling the effects of this reality every time they go shopping.
Without focused action on inflation, food production, and economic reform, the gap will continue to widen, putting even basic nutrition out of reach for many families.
From a full trolley in 2015 to a shrinking basket in 2025, the story of R500 is a mirror of South Africa’s economic journey.
What’s the ONE item you swear has gone up in price more than any other over the last decade?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
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