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8 Groceries That Are Cheap In South Africa If You’re An Expat

8 Groceries That Are Cheap In South Africa If You’re An Expat

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When rates aggregator GoBankingRates analyzed 112 countries across the globe, it concluded that South Africa is the cheapest place for expats to live and retire. The findings sparked controversy. Some financial experts claimed South Africa is an expensive place to live. Turns out it’s only a cheap place for expats to live because the cost of common necessities like groceries makes up a much smaller percentage of most expats’ salaries compared to average South African salaries. Here are 8 groceries that are cheap in South Africa for expats.

Source: Businesstech.co.za

Wikipedia.org/Corn flakes
Wikipedia.org/Corn flakes

Kellog’s Corn Flakes

In South Africa Kellogg’ cornflakes will cost you R5.98 (or 40 cents US) per 100 grams while in the U.S. you’ll pay around 50 cents per 100 grams and in the U.K. you’ll pay 60 cents. Kellogs is the third highest selling cereal brand in the country, with an 18 percent share of the breakfast food’s market, says Euromonitor.com.

Health.com/Johnson's baby powder
Health.com/Johnson’s baby powder

Johnson’s Baby Powder

Johnson’s Baby Powder costs R9.51 per 100 gram unit (around 60 cents US). In the U.S. the same amount of the product costs less, at actually R8.54 (or 56 cents) but in the U.K. the price spikes to over 80 cents per 100 grams. A full 400g bottle of the stuff costs R36.95 ($2.40) on Pricecheck.com. Buying it in bulk seems to be the better deal, since purchasing just a 100g bottle costs R16.95 (nearly double what a 100 grams costs in the bulk bottles).

Flickr.com/Coca cola
Flickr.com/Coca cola

Coca Cola

One hundred grams of Coca Cola only costs R.46 in South Africa, which is less than 3 cents US. This is a price drop from the 2015 cost of R.77 (barely 5 cents). In the U.S. 100 grams of this popular soda costs over three times as much at R2.81 or 18 cents and in the U.K. it costs R1.76 or around 11 cents. Coca Cola has the largest share in South Africa’s soft drink market, but it has seen a decline in volume sales since smaller beverage companies have been cropping up, offering lower prices, says Euromonitor.com.

Wikipedia.org/Nesquic chocolate powder
Wikipedia.org/Nesquic chocolate powder

Nestle’s Nesquik Chocolate Milk Powder

Nesquik will cost you R7.84 (around 50 cents US) per 100-gram unit in South Africa, but it nearly doubles in the U.S. and U.K. In the U.S. the same amount of the powdery treat costs R12.77 (around 83 cents) and in the U.K. it goes up to R13 (85 cents). South Africa is the continent’s largest chocolate market, and Nestle has a factory there, according to Reuters.com.

Indianteacompany.com/Lipton tea bags
Indianteacompany.com/Lipton tea bags

Lipton Tea Bags

One hundred grams of Lipton tea bags in South Africa costs R0.59 (around 3 cents). The product is still very cheap in the U.S. costing around the same as it does in South Africa, but shooting up to R.99 in the UK (about 6 cents). Lipton is owned by Pioneer Foods, which is the leading seller of ready-to-drink tea in South Africa. Lipton has become a household name in the country, according to Euromonitor.com.

Nestlé Taking Child Labor Out Of KitKat
Photo: Jason Adlen/Getty Images

Kit Kat Chocolate Wafer Bar

Kit Kats are a hot commodity across the globe and one of the most expensive items on this list. In South Africa 100 grams of this wafer cookie costs R14.75 (nearly $1). In the U.S. it costs R18.85 ($1.23) and in the U.K. the cookie costs R26.97 per 100-gram unit ($1.77). Another chocolate bar brand might soon beat out Kit Kat sales in the country. Nestle recently tried to sue the makers of Tiffany chocolate bar, stating that Tiffany’s marketing and packaging could cause confusion between the two products. Tiffany won, and will continue to package its products in the similar, breakable bar, says Uaipit.com.

Wikipedia.org/Pringles
Wikipedia.org/Pringles

Pringles, Sour Cream and Onion

This popular snack food is also one of the costlier international groceries in South Africa, at R18.21 per 100 grams ($1.20). In the U.S. the same quantity costs R27.87 (around $1.80) but in the U.K. the price drops to R14.32 (around 94 cents). The chip’s manufacturer, Procter & Gamble, is working on a R1.6 billion ($100 million-plus) factory in South Africa, says Bdlive.co.za.

Deobazaar.com/Adidas Ice Dive Spray deodorant
Deobazaar.com/Adidas Ice Dive Spray deodorant

Adidas Ice Dive Spray Deodorant

Deodorant from this reputable sports brand costs R16.53 ($1.08) per 100 grams in South Africa. It’s almost double in the U.S. at R29.17 ($1.90) and more than doubles that in the U.K. at R37.25 ($2.44). A full bottle of the stuff in South Africa still costs less than 100 grams does in the U.S. or the U.K., according to Pricecheck.co.z.a