via Cost of living marginally up | The Herald October 16, 2013 by Business Reporter
THE cost of living went up by a marginal 0,80 percent last month due to an increase in the prices of some basic commodities. A survey by the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe carried out using an urban low-income earner running a standard family of six, showed that the cost of living increased from US$562,52 in August to US$567,03 last month.
“The cost of living as measured by the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe’s low-income urban earner monthly basket for a family of six increased from the August 2013 figure of US$562,52 to US$567,03 by the end of September 2013, showing an increase of US$4,11 or 0,80 percent.
“The food basket increased by US$4,11 or 2,73 percent from US$150,47 in August 2013 to US$154,58 by the end of September 2013,” said the CCZ.
Basic commodities whose prices went up include white sugar which went up US21 cents from US$1,99 to US$2,20 for 2kg, 20kg roller meal by 2c from US$11,98 to US$12, 1kg economy beef by US53 cents from US$3,85 to US$4,38 and 500ml fresh milk by US1 cent from US73 cents to US74 cents and 1kg laundry bar by US10 cents from US$1,25 to US$1,35.
CCZ added that the price of beef has continued to increase during the past three months with prices now ranging from US$4,30 to US$4,50 a kilogramme. This, according to CCZ has seen consumers opting for chicken and fish which are cheaper
“Decreases in prices were recorded in margarine which went down by US5 cents from US$2,30 to US$2,25 for 500g, cabbage fell US9 cents from US49 cents to US40 cents per head, 2kg rice by US6 cents from US$2,10 to US$2,04, 2kg flour by US5 cents from US$1,89 to US$1,84 and 1kg onions by US10 cents from US$95 cents to US85 cents.
The consumer lobby group attributed the decreases in cabbage and onions to seasonal increases in supplies on the market.
There was, however, no movement in the prices of fuel, bath soap and washing powder. cooking oil at US$1,75 for 750ml, tea leaves (US$1,89 for 250g), bread (US$1,00 per loaf), salt (US20 cents for 500g) and tomatoes (US61 cents per kg), CCZ urged consumers to shop wisely.
“Consumers should continue to buy conscientiously and always purchase certified products. Where the products are not certified, we urge them to 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 makeup of the products,” CCZ said.
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