Millions of South Africans continue to drink coffee daily despite rising prices, with the cost of instant coffee increasing faster than broader food inflation.

The latest consumer data comes as International Coffee Day is marked on 1 October, putting the spotlight on the cost of one of South Africa’s most popular daily beverages.

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South Africa’s headline consumer inflation stood at 4.4% in August 2026, while inflation for food and non-alcoholic beverages was considerably lower at 1.1%.

However, instant coffee has increased by 62.6% since August 2022, while cappuccino sachets have risen by a reported 24.4% over the same period.

Price of 250g of instant coffee YearPriceAugust 2022R47.72August 2023R52.70August 2024R67.37August 2025R75.34August 2026R77.57

Ground coffee and beans are no longer included in South Africa’s official consumer price basket, leaving instant coffee as the available measure for tracking coffee-price movements.

Millions of South Africans still drinking coffee

Higher prices have not resulted in a major collapse in coffee consumption.

Around 22 million South Africans drank some form of coffee on the day surveyed, according to the latest available MAPS data.

The figure includes instant coffee, ground beans, pods and instant cappuccino.

Tea remains more widely consumed, with approximately 26 million people drinking Ceylon, rooibos or green tea.

The figures measure the number of people consuming the beverages rather than the total number of cups consumed, meaning they do not indicate how much coffee or tea each person drinks during the day.

Coffee consumption also varies across different groups.

Ground coffee has a stronger association with higher-income households, while instant cappuccino is more prominent among students.

The data indicates that coffee drinkers have become more responsive to price increases, while tea consumption has increased over the period measured.

Ricoffy remains a popular choice

Brand preferences also highlight the distinctive nature of South Africa’s coffee market.

Ricoffy remains a major player in the instant coffee category, with previous consumer research finding that it was consumed by more people than the next five leading instant coffee brands combined.

For consumers who regularly buy coffee away from home, Mugg & Bean is the most frequently visited coffee venue among households earning more than R10 000 per month.

Seattle Coffee, Woolworths and Vida also feature prominently.

At the same time, South Africa’s speciality coffee market continues to attract interest, with consumers increasingly exploring single-origin beans, alternative brewing methods and the origins of the coffee they drink.

Could prices eventually fall?

There could be some relief for coffee drinkers further down the line.

Global coffee production is forecast to increase by 6% to a record 189.7 million bags in 2026/27.

Global consumption is also expected to remain strong, with the worldwide market forecast to reach a record 179.7 million bags.

The increase in production could eventually put downward pressure on global coffee prices and, in turn, provide some relief for South African consumers.

However, any impact on local prices is unlikely to be immediate.

For now, coffee remains a significant part of the daily routine for millions of South Africans – even as the price of that morning cup continues to climb.

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