Zim's cost of living goes down

The decrease in the prices of fuel last month has impacted positively on the prices of most basic commodities which have gone down considerably resulting in a decline in the cost of living.

Fuel prices went down by an average of US0,08 cents last month after surging at least US0,10 cents following the hike in excise duty on the commodity.

Petrol, which had gone up to $1,60 per litre went down to $1,48 while diesel went down to $1,34 from $1,42.

The Consumer Council of Zimbabwe yesterday said the decline in fuel prices coupled with various promotions and specials being run by supermarkets had resulted in the 1,72 percent decline in the cost of living from $571,51 in April to $561,67 in May.

The family basket decreased by $9,63, representing 6,04 percent, from $159,33 in April to $133,70 by the end of May.

Decreases in prices were recorded in mealie-meal, which went down by a $1,00 from $11,78 to $10,78 for 20 kilogrammes of roller meal. Flour went down by US5c from $1,90 to $1,85 while 250g of tea leaves decreased by US10c from $1,75 to $1,65 in the period under review.

Rice went down by US30c from $1,99 to $1,69 and the price of a kilogramme of meat decreased by US90c from $4,80 to $3,90. The price of washing powder decreased US11c from $1,50 in April to $1,35 the following month.

Commodities that witnessed a price increase include white sugar which went up by US10c from $2,10 to $2,20. A kilogramme of tomatoes went up by US3c from US95c to US98c while the price of onions increased by US5c from $1,25 to $1,30.

Laundry bars went up US3c from $1,32 to $1,35. The prices of the other basic commodities which include margarine, bread, fresh milk, cabbage, salt and bath soaps remained unchanged from the April 2013 figures.

CCZ encouraged consumers to shop wisely and to always ensure the products they buy are properly labelled, packaged and carry vital information such as manufacturing and expiry dates.