adminSithandazile Moyo Business Reporter
THE consumer basket for a family of six marginally decreased by 0,56 percent from $564.72 in December to $561.56 last month, the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe has said.
It said the food basket decreased by $4.62 from $154.95 in December to $150.33 in January showing a decrease of 2.98 percent, while the basket for detergents increased by $1.46 from $10.77 to $12.23 reflecting a 13.56 percent increase as a result of the festive season promotions on most products.
Detergents such as laundry bars, bath soap and washing powder recorded price increases during the period under review.
“Laundry bars increased by 17c from $1.00 to $1.17, bath soaps by 15c from 65c to 80c, and washing powder by 6c from $1.39 to $1.45,” said CCZ.
“Some basic commodities including rice, fresh milk, roller meal and tomatoes also recorded increases in price.
“Tomatoes went up by 14c from 61c to 75c, tea leaves by 10c from $1.75 to $1.85, cabbage by 10c from 56c to 69c, roller meal by 5c from $12.25 to $12.30, fresh milk by 5c from 69c to 74c, rice by 4c from $1.55 to $1.59 and salt by 1c from 22c to 23c,” said CCZ.
Decreases in prices were recorded in beef which went down by 90c from $4.80 to $3.90, margarine by 4c from $2.19 to $2.05, cooking oil by 2c from $1.82 to $1.80.
Other basic commodities including fuel and sugar remained unchanged from the December 2013 figures.
“The prices of the other basic commodities which include fuel, sugar, bread, flour and onions remained unchanged from December 2013 figures,” said the consumer watchdog.
CCZ said it continues to urge consumers to buy certified products.
“The CCZ continues to encourage consumers to shop conscientiously, buy certified products and exercise their right to information by carefully examining if the products are well labelled, packaged and provided with vital information such as manufacturing, expiry dates and ingredients used in the make-up of the products,” it said.
Online Reporter