admin“The food basket has increased from $154,40 in March 2012 to $155,46 in April 2012 by $1,06 reflecting a 0,01 percent increase.
The soap and detergents basket decreased from $14,12 to $13,49 while the transport, accommodation, water and electricity, health education, clothing and footwear remained pegged at $399.
An economic commentator Mr Trust Chikohora, who is also the immediate past president of the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce said: “There has not been much change on cost of living figures because the month-on-month inflation for March as depicted by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (Zimstat) also showed a bit of some stability. And when CCZ is calculating the cost of living for low income earners for a family of six they also consider data on prices of goods and services compiled by Zimstat,” said Mr Chikohora.
He said prices of goods and services as depicted by Zimstat were stable.
“The stability of prices for goods and services is because there has not been significant salary increases for civil servants and those in industry and commerce so cash flow is limited resulting in liquidity becoming very much constrained. Given such a scenario the demand for goods and services remain depressed; for as long as liquidity remains limited we are unlikely to see prices of goods and services increasing,” he said.
The consumer watchdog noted that in April certain products in the food basket increased from the previous month, while others have maintained or slightly reduced their prices.
For example, products such as margarine increased in prices by $0,40, tea leaves by $0,45, coking oil by $0,4 and cabbage by $0,5. CCZ executive director, Ms Rosemary Siyachitema, said locally manufactured products were increasing on shelves but still not being produced and supplied at adequate levels and at competitive prices to instil confidence in the public.
Online Reporter