By Lovemore P. Chazingwa.
HARARE, Zimbabwe. (News of The South) – THE cost of living as measured by the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ ) low urban income earner for a family of six has increased from the month of February, 2016 figure of $560.10 to $561.06 by March, showing an increase of 96c or 0.17 percent.
The food basket increased by 64c or 0.54 percent from $118.03 in February to $118.67 in March.
The price of detergents increased by 32c or 3.97 percent from $8.07 in February to $8.39 in March.
Movers and Shakers in the Basket
Increases in price were recorded with margarine ( 500g ) by 3c from 86c to 89c, roller meal ( 10kg pack ) by 80c from $10.29 to $11.09, brown sugar ( 2kg ) by 11c from $1.65 to $1.76, salt ( 500g ) by 1c from 18c to 19c,tomatoes ( 1 kg ) by 12c from 59c to 71c, onions ( per kg ) by 44c from 85c to $1.29 and a standard tablet of 250 grams bath soap by 8c from 41c to 49c.
Decreases in price were recorded in tea leaves ( 1kg ) by 16c from $1.85 to $1.69, fresh milk ( 500ml ) by 1c from 50c to 49c, bread ( ordinary standard loaf ) by 5c from 65c to 60c, economy meat by 1c from $3.60.to $3.59 per kg.
Non Movers
The prices of cooking oil, flour, rice, cabbage, laundry soap and washing powder remained unchanged from the February figures.
Fluctuations in prices can be attributed to the lack of supermarket or product promotions on the market.
The price of roller meal increased due to the shortage of maize in the country and the high demand for mealie-meal. The price of onions increased also because they are off season now.
CCZ continues to encourage consumers to always shop conscientiously and buy only certified products.
Where the products are not certified, to exercise their right to information by always examining if the products they are purchasing are well labelled, packaged and provided with full information about the date of manufacture, expiry date and the ingredients used in the make-up of the products.
This survey, by the CCZ, is conducted twice during the first and last weeks of every month. The total cost of the food basket and that of each commodity are arrived at by averaging the price of each commodity from retail outlets gathered from around the country. The basket is a fairly accurate depiction of the cost of living of the urbanites in Zimbabwe.
Besides groceries, the survey includes transport, rent, water and electricity, health, education and, clothing and footwear.
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