adminIn a statement, the consumer watchdog’s executive director Ms Rosemary Siyachitema said the cost of living during period under review decreased from $572 to $567,90.
“The cost of living as measured by the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe’s (CCZ) low income urban earner monthly basket decreased from the December 2012 figure of $572 to $567,90 by the end of January 2013, showing a 0,72 percent decrease,” she said.
“The food basket decreased by $5,55 from $160,98 in December 2012 to $155,43 in January 2013”.
The cost of detergents increased by 11,56 percent from $12,02 to $13,41.
Ms Siyachitema said some of the products whose prices increased included mealie meal which went up by $1,58 from $10,38 to $11,96 for a 20kg bag.
“Decreases in prices were recorded for margarine, which went down $0,25 from $2,30 to $2,05, tea leaves by $0,47 from $1,50 to $1,03,” she said.
She said the price of salt dropped by a cent from $0,21 to $0,20; tomatoes shed $0,25 from $0,90 to $0,65, onions decreased by $0,27 from $0,99 to $0,72 while the greatest decrease was meat that fell by $0,63 from $570 to $5,07.
An economic commentator Mr Trust Chikohora said the cost of living had dropped in January because consumer spending would be limited.
“The percentage decrease in the cost of living was marginal.
“The cost of living declined in January from December largely because in January, consumers’ spending power is more limited because they would have spent a lot during the festive season”.
He said in January disposable income would be limited to payment of school fees.
“As a result of limited spending power, the demand for goods in the month of January diminishes,” he said.
Online Reporter