Less Meat on The Braai These Days
Price Increases have hit one of our Favourite Pastimes
The traditional South African braai, a long time cornerstone of social gatherings, has become notably more expensive.
What was once an affordable way to entertain family and friends, the cost of hosting a braai has increased by 29% over the past five years.
Price hikes have been primarily driven by the rising cost of meat, a key element of any braai.
For example, beef sirloin now costs around 25% more than in 2019, while lamb chops have increased by 26%. Even wors, a staple at any decent braai, has gone up by 21%, making it harder for hosts to provide the usual grand spread.
And we all know that meat is not the only thing on the menu. The cost of snacks and sides has surged. Items like chips (22%), biscuits (44%), and potatoes (61%) have all seen sharp increases.
The ingredients for salads and braaibroodjies, like onions (70%), tomatoes (33%), and cheddar cheese (46%), have all followed suit. Even condiments (like mayonnaise or chutney) have surged by 63%. Ouch!
Bring & Braai
This rise in costs has led a lot of South Africans to opt for “bring and braai” gatherings, where everyone brings a little something (instead of you having to buy everything). This certainly does help keep the costs down when you are living on less and watching your budget but still want to hang out with your friends.
For those looking to cut costs even further, some people are resorting to simple alternatives, like swapping traditional cuts of meat for more affordable ones like bringing chicken or cheaper sides like baked beans and pasta salads. That can also help keep the prices down.
Despite the price increases, everyone loves a braai and we just have to maybe get a little smart these days so that we can still enjoy one without breaking the bank.