aurora
Kiyara Matambanadzo
The prices of basic commodities in Harare have continued to rise over the past number of weeks, despite the Zimbabwe National Statistical Agency (ZimStats) recently reporting that the month-on-month rate of inflation decreased in January.
ZimStats released figures earlier this month that showed that month-on-month inflation had significantly decreased, for January the figure was 2,23 percent shedding 14,32 percentage points from the December figure, but the situation has not been similar with the prices of goods and services whose increase are not in tandem with consumers’ disposable incomes that have been eroded by inflation.
This is because the month-on-month rate of inflation compares the level of inflation of one month, comparing it to the prior year comparable period. So although month-on-month inflation declines prices will still be going up, but at a lower pace.
Basic commodities such as roller meal, cooking oil, rice, sugar, salt, flour, bread, milk and eggs have become very expensive over the last two months.
Zimbabweans are struggling to adjust to the sudden price hikes as unemployment is widespread while those employed are getting salaries that are not in tandem with inflation.
In December the price of mealie meal had gone up to $115 until Government stepped in to subsidise mealie meal to $50 per 10kg, but last month increased the price to $70.
However, the commodity still continues to be scarce in the market due to corruption and absence of the green harvests which have increased demand of mealie meal in the country.
Other essential basic commodities have also increased in price such as cooking oil is priced between $69,99 and $79,99 but was set at $63,99 in December 2019.
In December last year TM Pick and Pay priced a 2kg bag of rice at $36,50 , a litre of milk at $17,45, a 2kg bag of sugar at $35,99, a loaf of bread at $18,00, and a crate of 30 eggs at $54,99.
However as of 25 February a 2kg bag of rice, a litre of milk, a 2kg bag of sugar, a loaf of bread and a crate of eggs were now $48,99, $23,99, $44,99, $21,90 and $109, respectively.
Meanwhile, BH24 interviewed local shoppers in TM Pick and Pay who expressed their distress at the uncompromising price hikes that have not been accompanied by adjustments to their salaries.
One woman, who spoke to us on condition of anonymity, complained that a product going for $10 on one day could be priced at $15 the next day and lamented that she fears the situation in the shop cannot improve unless problems with the economy are dealt with.
“Some prices have increased in a way that we don’t understand, prices for products like rice go up and that is painful especially for civil servants and we don’t have the income to continue buying groceries,” said another Harare shopper.
The scarcity and fluctuating pricing of goods are contributing to the already dangerous levels of food insecurity in Zimbabwe.
Last December, the World Food Program (WFP) announced it would be expanding its operation as 7,7 million people or half the Zimbabwean population was exposed to severe hunger.
Online Reporter