adminend of May.
CCZ said the decrease in the basket was partly a result of a decrease in fuel by between US6 cents and US10 cents in the last two weeks.
The price for the food basket decreased by 6,04 percent from US$159,33 in April to US$149,70 in May while detergents went down by 1,59 percent to US$12,97 from US$13,18.
It was, however, noted that some items in the food basket have slightly increased with white sugar going up by US10c from US$2,10 to US$2,20, cooking oil up US4c from US$1,75 to US$1,79 and a laundry bar going up by US3c from US$1,32 to US$1,35.
“Decreases were recorded for mealie meal which went down by US$1 from US$11,78 to US$10,78, beef decreased by US90c from US$4,80 to US$3,90 per kg while rice went down by US30c to US$1,69 from US$1,99.
“Tea leaves and washing powder also went down from US$1,75 to US$1,65 and US$1,50 to US$1,35 respectively,” said CCZ.
The consumer watchdog added that some of these price fluctuations were also caused by various promotions and specials run by supermarkets during the period under review.
Prices of goods that remained unchanged from April include margarine, bread, fresh milk, cabbage, salt and bathing soap.
“The CCZ continues to encourage consumers to shop conscientiously and to always take comfort in buying certain products and where products are not certified to exercise their right to information by carefully examining if the products they are purchasing are well labelled, packaged and provided with vital information such as manufacturing and expiry dates and ingredients used in the make-up of products.”
Meanwhile, the cost of the CCZ basket for transport, rent, water and electricity, health, education, clothing and footwear for May stood at US$399.
Online Reporter