One in five households in the Western Cape face hunger as fuel costs soar

Economists warn that the recent spike in fuel prices could lead to increased food prices, pushing more families into food insecurity.

With World Hunger Day exactly a week away, one in five households in the Western Cape will go to bed tonight on an empty stomach.

And even those who somehow manage to scrape together enough for milk or eggs will likely need double the cash soon, as food prices brace for another jump on the back of soaring fuel costs.

Over 80% of goods in SA move by road, and economists Cape Argus spoke to warn that such basic food items could very well rise, with others saying price hikes are already hitting them.

In a Western Cape parliamentary reply, Social Development MEC Jaco Londt said households across the province are already battling hunger.