2012 — 2024How we score
Explore how South Africa's food security has evolved from 2012 to 2024. Select a range, toggle pillars, and see how major events shaped the index.
Severe El Nino-induced drought devastated maize production, leading to significant crop losses.
Provinces: Free State, North West, Limpopo, Mpumalanga
Continued drought led to maize production declining 25%. Food price inflation exceeded 12%.
Cape Town faced near-complete depletion of dam water reserves, affecting agriculture and households.
Provinces: Western Cape
World's largest recorded Listeria monocytogenes outbreak: 1,060 cases, 216 deaths. Linked to processed meat.
National lockdown Level 5 imposed. Agricultural supply chains disrupted, informal food markets closed.
R350 Social Relief of Distress grant introduced, providing emergency social protection to millions.
Widespread looting and destruction of retail infrastructure in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
Provinces: KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng
Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan signed by government, business, and labour in May 2022.
Devastating floods in KwaZulu-Natal killed 435 people, destroyed infrastructure and agricultural land.
Provinces: KwaZulu-Natal
Russia-Ukraine conflict caused global grain and fertiliser price spikes, impacting SA import costs.
Record Stage 6 load shedding disrupted cold chains, irrigation, and food processing operations.
H7N6 bird flu led to culling of millions of poultry, causing egg and chicken price spikes.
7th democratic election resulted in coalition government. Agricultural policy continuity under review.
Wave of child poisonings from contaminated food sold at informal spaza shops sparked national food safety debate.