Johannesburg- The total income generated by the food and beverages sector in SA increased in nominal terms (current prices) by 9.4% year-on-year (y/y) in March‚ Statistics SA (Stats SA) data showed on Monday (20 May).
Positive annual growth rates were recorded for food sales (9.5%)‚ followed by other income (9.4%).
The food and beverages survey is a monthly survey covering a sample of public and private enterprises involved in the preparation of meals and drinks for immediate consumption in SA. The purpose of the survey is to monitor trends in the food and beverages industry.
A breakdown of the figures showed that the highest annual growth rate in March was recorded for takeaway and fast-food outlets with 16.2% and contributing 5.5 percentage points; followed by restaurants and coffee shops with a 6.4% increase and contributing 3.1 percentage points; and catering services‚ with a 4.7% increase and a 0.8 of a percentage point contribution.
Total income rose by 7.9% in the first quarter of the year compared with the same period last year.
The main contributors to this increase were takeaway and fast-food outlets; restaurants and coffee shops; and catering services‚ Stats SA reported.