As South Africans get ready to fire up their grills for the weekend braai, the hunt for the best deals on essentials like meat, charcoal, and drinks is on.
Whether you’re a seasoned braai master or just starting to prep for your weekend cookout, knowing where to get the best prices can make a big difference in your wallet.
Price Comparison of Key Braai Items
To make your life easier, we’ve compared the prices of popular braai items across four of South Africa’s major supermarkets: Checkers, Shoprite, Pick n Pay, and Woolworths.
Here’s what we found:
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Shoprite is your best bet for saving money, offering the most affordable prices on most of the key items.
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Woolworths, on the other hand, comes in as the priciest option, with some items being quite a bit more expensive than at other stores.
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Pick n Pay and Checkers land somewhere in between, offering competitive prices, but not always the cheapest.
A Breakdown of Prices Across Supermarkets
Here’s a closer look at the price differences on key braai essentials:
| Product | Checkers | Shoprite | Pick n Pay | Woolworths |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Boerewors (per kg) | R99.99 | R92.99 | R109.99 | R159.99 |
| Lamb Braai Chops (per kg) | R179.99 | R162.99 | R179.99 | R229.00 |
| 250g Garlic Bread | R39.99 | R19.99 | R39.99 | R59.99 |
| 4kg Charcoal | R79.99 | R79.99 | R69.99 | R104.99 |
| Baked Beans (can) | R17.99 | R17.99 | R16.99 | R25.99 |
| Firelighters | R39.99 | R29.99 | R37.99 | R29.99 |
| KWV Five-Year-Old Brandy (750ml) | R229.99 | R229.99 | R229.99 | R229.99 |
| Savanna Light Cider (6x330ml) | R124.99 | R124.99 | R124.99 | R124.99 |
| Castle Lite Bottles (6x330ml) | R94.99 | R94.99 | R94.99 | R89.99 |
| Coca-Cola No Sugar (1.5L) | R15.99 | R15.99 | R21.99 | R19.99 |
Which Supermarket Offers the Best Value?
If you’re focused on getting the most bang for your buck, Shoprite is the clear winner, with a total cost of R869.90 for all the listed items.
Checkers follows closely behind at R923.90, while Pick n Pay comes in at R926.90. Woolworths, being the most expensive, totals R1,074.91 for the same items.
Additionally, if you’re looking to stock up on other cooking essentials, Shoprite often offers competitive prices on things like cooking oil, making it a solid choice for bulk buys alongside your braai essentials.
Does Convenience or Brand Matter More to You?
When it comes to shopping for your braai, do you stick with a specific store due to convenience or brand loyalty, or are you willing to change your shopping habits to save money?
Whether you choose to head to Shoprite for a more budget-friendly shopping experience or prefer the comfort of Woolworths for their premium products, it’s all about what works best for you.