ZIMBABWE’S bread basket for a family of six rose to $565,34 in September from $558,25 the previous month driven by rising fuel prices, the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) has said.
Report by Moses Matenga
Latest figures from the consumer watchdog showed that the cost of living spiked largely due to petrol prices which shot up to $1,53 from $1,39 a litre.
On the other hand diesel rose to $1,41 from $1,25 a litre after Finance minister Tendai Biti raised excise duty on fuel in August.
“The cost of living as measured by the CCZ’s low-income urban earner’s monthly basket for a family of six marginally increased from the August 2012 figure of $558,25 to $565,34 by the end of September 2012, showing a 1,27% increase,” CCZ said in statement.
“The food basket increased from $145,72 in August 2012 to $153,09 in September 2012 by $7,37 reflecting a 5,06% increase. Soaps and detergents decreased from $13,53 in August to $13,25 in September 2012 by 28c reflecting a 2,07% decrease.”
Price increases were recorded for margarine which went up 11c, mealie meal increased by 88c, flour by 10c, tomatoes by 37c, onions, cabbage and meat increased by 7c, 1c and 60c respectively, during the period under review.
“Movers in the basket, increases were recorded for margarine which went up 11c from $2,19 to $2,30; mealie meal by 88c from $9,10 to $9,98; flour by 10c from $1,85 to $1,95; tomatoes by 37c from 90c to 41,27; onions by 7c from $1,03 to $1,10; cabbage by 1c from 60c to 61c while meat rose by 55c from $3,95 to $4,50,” the consumer watchdog said.
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Food prices which retreated during the period under review include that of white sugar which decreased by 5c from $2,15 to $2,10; rice by 6c from $1,85 to $1,79; bath soaps by 4c from 79c to 75c and washing powder by 4c from $1,39 to $1,35.
The prices of most basic commodities among them bread, tea leaves, fresh milk, cooking oil, bread, salt and laundry bars did not change from the July 2012 figures, the CCZ added.
