Food price warning due to load shedding

GAUTENG – The consumer goods group AVI says consumers have still not fully felt the costs for food producers because of load shedding. AVI added that the relief from the recent diesel fuel levy announcement will be minimal, as it could just offset the cost of five hours of backup power daily. Load shedding cost the AVI Group that comprises trading subsidiaries that manufacture, process, market & distribute branded consumer products in the food, beverage and fashion categories already R22 million, but it also spent over R250 million increasing its inventory due to fears regarding the effects of power cuts on its suppliers they have.