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News | What influences SA's food and meal preferences? New research tells all
What influences SA's food and meal preferences? New research tells all
September 28 2026 By BMi Research insights, food, fmcg, qsr
When do South Africans prefer to eat takeaways? How are delivery apps changing food and grocery shopping? What influences the food choices - price, convenience, specials, social gatherings, online searches or AI? These are among the questions that Caxton Media's Project EAT answers in this year's national eating and food shopping behaviour survey.
This is the second year that this survey has been run. It captures the real eating and food-shopping behaviour of 3 000 South Africans across 30 consecutive days, and compares this with the data collected from the same study in 2023.
Back then, 66% of main meals on the first Saturday after government payday were social or special occasions. A total of 7% of respondents were using food delivery apps, while 5% were using an airfryer and 14% were using a microwave for their main meals. The majority (76%) of those surveyed were also experiencing loadshedding daily.
How much of this behaviour has remained in place but grown in popularity? How much of it has completely changed? What is driving these behaviour changes? These and so many other pressing questions around South Africans' food habits are under the spotlight this year, as Project EAT begins to map South Africans' food-related behaviours.
Lynne Krog, head of research at Caxton Media, says the research insights will be particularly valuable for FMCG, QSR, and restaurant and takeaway brands and franchises.
"What is so interesting about this research is that people say one thing, based on what they think their eating habits are, but then do something different when it actually comes time to shop for food, or prepare, buy or order meals. Other aspects like their emotional state and even the weather influence their purchase decisions. The results provide a fascinating glimpse into eating behaviour, and what is directly impacting that behaviour," she explains.
Members of the research team will be presenting the findings from Project EAT 2026 to clients from mid-October. Food, FMCG, QSR and restaurant brands can book a free presentation of the research findings for their teams, either in person or online.
Email [email protected] to book!
Originallly published here: https://www.caxtonmedia.co.za/what-influences-sas-food-and-meal-preferences-new-research-tells-all-news