Africa

Although corruption is being tackled, it remains pervasive in Angola, whilst one party’s grip on power weakens democracy. Economic momentum is slowing, largely owing to elevated inflation, but the foreign investment climate is improving and new trade…

The impact of inflation has not spared vegetables, with the latter also experiencing further steep price increases in 2023. With affordability being a key priority for South Africans, one of the ways to offset these increases is by choosing to…

South Africa’s sugar industry has struggled in recent years due to a combination of poor local production, impacted by loadshedding and flooding, as well as elevated international sugar prices, caused by climatic factors such as drought. While…

Potatoes are a staple for many South Africans, comprising 95% total volume share of starchy roots. Therefore, a reduction in supply and price hikes are impacting local consumers. The supply of potatoes declined in February 2023 to the lowest…

The worst drought in 40 years pushed local food prices up while Russia’s war in Ukraine has led to further price pressures. To curb inflation, interest rates were raised and the currency depreciated making imports more expensive. Despite this, demand…

Despite a weaker growth trend in 2023 compared to the previous year, the sports drinks sector experienced substantial growth owing to the increasing health consciousness among Nigerians, particularly middle and upper-income consumers. Manufacturers…

Bottled water maintained its status as the fastest-growing soft drink in Nigeria throughout 2023. The persistent challenges in accessing safe drinking water, compounded by unreliable electricity supply, especially in the country's hot climate,…

The year 2023 did not witness significant new launches or packaging innovations in RTD tea. Slower growth in RTD tea compared to previous years is attributed to economic slowdowns and naira devaluation, resulting in heightened production costs.…

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) reported a significant slowdown in disposable incomes in the first quarter of 2023. The impact of high inflation and rising interest rates resulted in a household debt-to-income ratio increasing from 61.6% to…

In a time where South Africans are experiencing high inflationary price increases across all fresh food categories, nuts experienced a price drop in late 2022 due to oversupply in the local market. South Africa is the leading supplier of macadamia…

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) reported a significant slowdown in disposable income growth in the first quarter of 2023. The impact of high inflation and rising interest rates resulted in a household debt-to-income ratio increasing from 61.6%…

Amidst economic challenges and escalated retail prices, there is a rising trend among Nigerian consumers to frequent fast food outlets, increasingly serving as channels for on-trade consumption. This growing consumer behaviour significantly…

As with all food production in South Africa, fruit farmers face challenges as the industry struggles to remain profitable with rising costs driven by high inflation and exacerbated by power blackouts. Interest rate hikes have impacted cash flows and…

With rising inflation, water supply issues, crumbling infrastructure and rolling power blackouts, South African fresh food producers are under extreme financial pressure and this, in turn, is passed on to local consumers. South Africa had been…

South Africans are feeling the financial pressure as the impact of high inflation and rising interest rates in 2023 have resulted in a household debt-to-income ratio, increasing from 61.6% to 62.1%. With rising fuel prices, the cost of going out to…

The year 2023 witnessed a wave of new launches in energy drinks. Cway Food & Beverages Co Nig introduced Boxi Energy Drink, positioned as a health-conscious energy beverage, devoid of caffeine and other potentially unhealthy stimulants. Available in…

Rising input costs such as the cost of animal feed and installing a more stable electricity supply has resulted in price hikes for eggs. The cost of feed, fuel and electricity usually accounts for 75% of input costs for producers. Grain shortages due…

Concentrates has seen limited new product development recently, primarily due to stiff competition from affordable ready-to-drink juice and soft drink brands. Brands like Tang (Cadbury Nigeria Plc) and Kool2Go (Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc) faced…

Young adults are the primary consumers of carbonates in Nigeria, although adults also contribute to consumption. Despite economic challenges, a significant portion of the population, consumes two bottles of soft drinks per day on average. The…

Modern fast food outlets scattered across Nigeria significantly contribute to on-trade bottled water sales. Restaurants, canteens, food shacks, and bars remain vital channels for on-trade volume sales of bottled water. However, off-trade sales…