If you stepped into a supermarket lately and found an exorbitant increase in the price of ginger, then you’re not alone. Many South Africans are taking to social media to vent their frustration at the price of ginger which has nearly doubled over the last six months, Business Insider reported. The leading reason for the increase seems to be that more people have turned to the spicy root for its immune-boosting properties, amid Covid-19 (please note: it’s not a cure for the disease!). That’s created a shortage of ginger, while demand is growing. At one point, 1kg of ginger cost about R70, and now it’s averaging between R200 and R400! The Competition Commission – the SA body that investigates anti-competitive behaviour by companies – is stepping in to investigate the retailers who are increasing their prices. Since the start of the pandemic, the Commission received 14 complaints about retailers increasing the price of ginger in their stores, The Sunday Times reported. Last year Food Lover’s Market was fined about R18 500 for the average mark-up of 92% for raw ginger at its Westgate store. We want to make sure our bodies are strong in these uncertain times as much as the next person, but does it have to cost an arm and a leg?

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