March income from food, beverages industry up 7.6% y/y

SA's food and beverages industry generated a total income of R3.198 billion year on year (y/y) in March, representing a 7.6% rise compared to a rise of 9.7% recorded in February, according to data released by Statistics SA on Monday, 23 May 2011.

The main contributor to the increase was food sales, which posted an 8.9% increase and contributed 7.8 percentage points, Stats SA said.

Stats SA reported that the annual positive growth rate of 7.6% in total income for March was driven by restaurants and coffee shops; takeaway and fast-food outlets; and caterers.

Income from food sales alone were R2.813 billion, representing an 8.9% year on year increase while income from bar sales rose 5.1% or R328 million.

Total income generated by the food and beverages industry for the first quarter of 2011 increased by 7.4% compared with the first quarter 2010.

The main contributor was food sales with 8.8% and a contribution of 7.6 percentage points.

The 7.4% increase was driven by restaurants and coffee shops; takeaway and fast-food outlets; and caterers, Stats SA reported.