admin
Bianca Mlilo Business Reporter
THE cost of living as measured by the low income urban earner monthly basket for a family of six increased by $0,96 to $561,06 compared to $560,10 in February.
Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) conducts bi-monthly survey of prices of basic products.
The total cost of the food basket and the prices of commodities are arrived at by averaging prices of the different retail outlets.
The consumer watchdog observed increases in prices of basic commodities such as margarine, whose cost rose by four cents from 86 cents to 89 cents.
The price of a 20kg mealie-meal increased by 80 cents from $10,29 to $11,09, brown sugar by 11cents from $1,65 to $1,76 and salt by 1 cent from 18 cents to 19cents.
A kilogramme of tomatoes increased by 12 cents from 59 cents to 71 cents, onions by 44 cents from 85 cents to $1,29 while bath soap increased by eight cents from 41 cents to 49 cents.
CCZ, however, noted a decrease in prices of tea leaves by 16 cents from $1,85 to $1,69, fresh milk by 1 cent from 50 cents to 49 cents, bread by five cents from 65 cents to 60 cents and meat by 1 cent from $3,60 to $3,59.
“The price of cooking oil, flour, rice, cabbage, laundry bars and washing powder remained unchanged from the February figures,” it said.
CCZ attributed the fluctuations in the basket to the lack of supermarket or product promotions on the market.
It said the price of roller meal increased due to the shortage of maize in the country and the high demand of mealie-meal.
The price of onions also increased because the product was off season.
“CCZ continues to encourage consumers to shop conscientiously and to always buy certified products.
“Where the products are not certified, consumers must exercise their right to information by carefully examining if the products they are buying are well labelled, packaged and provided with vital information such as manufacturing and expiry dates and ingredients used in the make-up of the products,” it said.
Online Reporter