Pretoria: Cabinet has expressed concern at the escalation of food prices and the impact it is having on the poor.

According to a Cabinet statement, issued by Government Communications (GCIS) on Friday, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Tina Joemat-Pettersson will brief Cabinet on the matter at the next Cabinet meeting.

According to analysts, South African consumers should brace themselves for higher increases in food prices over the coming months. This as food inflation is expected to increase to between 12 and 15 percent in the next six to eight months.