May consumer basket up

The consumer basket rose slightly from US$501,79 in April to US$504,03 last month.
In terms of the food basket, there was an increase from US$144,02 in April to US$146,26 in May, an increase of 0,02 percent.
During the same period, the food and detergents basket increased from US$157,79 in April to US$160,03 last month, reflecting a 0,01 percent increase.
Indications are that movement in the food items largely pushed up the overall cost of the basket.
CCZ executive director Ms Rosemary Siyachitema said the cost of several food commodities increased during the period under review.
“CCZ noted that in the month of May certain products in the food basket had increased from the previous month,” she said.
Price increases were noted in the following products: White sugar, which increased by 5 cents, tea leaves (7c), fresh milk (3c), cabbage (15c), and tomatoes (21c).
Ms Siyachitema lamented the low production levels of local industry, saying it resulted in their products being “uncompetitive with goods coming from South Africa”.
This is despite a weakening South African rand during the period. The CCZ observed that over the past few months the rand had “somewhat weakened”.
On the other hand, fuel has been ranging between US$1,35 and US$1,45 per litre.
Meanwhile, the cost of the CCZ basket for transport, rent, water and electricity, health, education, clothing and foot-wear remained stable at US$344.
CCZ continues to lament the prevailing inflated utility charges, which it says are wiping out the average worker’s disposable income.
“There is still a challenge in the area of water supply where a number of households are still running dry,” she said.
“CCZ wants to see all households receiving actual bills or at least bills generated from meters read every quarter,” said CCZ.
The CCZ consumer basket has been fluctuating by marginal figures since the beginning of the year, perhaps a sign that the economy is still in stabilisation mode.