The Sunday News
Noble Ncube, Business Reporter
THE consumer basket for a family of six, as measured by the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe, increased by 96 cents to $561,06 in March from the February figure of $560,10.
Comparatively, during the same period last year the consumer basket was at $580,69 cents. The cost of living in the country decreased by $19,63 between March last year and March this year. CCZ said the food basket increased by 64 cents or 0,54 percent from $118,03 in February to $118,67 in March.
In the food basket roller meal had the biggest increase of 80 cents. The price of detergents increased by 32 cents or 3,97 percent from $8,07 in February 2016 to $8,39 in the month under review.
The consumer watch dog said the price of cooking oil, flour, rice, cabbage, laundry bars and washing powder remained unchanged from the February prices.
“Increase in prices were recorded in margarine by 4 cents from 86 cents to 89 cents, roller meal by 80 cents from $10,29 to $11,09, brown sugar by 11 cents from $1,65 to $1,76, salt by 1 cent from 18 cents to 19 cents, tomatoes by 12 cents from 59 cents to 71 cents, onions by 44 cents from 85 cents to $1,29 and bath soap by 8 cents from 41 cents to 49 cents.
“Decrease in prices were recorded in tea leaves by 16 cents from $1,85 to $1,69, fresh milk by 1 cent from 50 cents to 49 cents, bread by 5 cents from 65 cents to 60 cents and meat by 1 cent from $3,60 to $3,59,” said the consumer council.
CCZ of Zimbabwe said the fluctuations in the basket can be attributed 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 they are off season now.
“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 purchasing 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.”
