Zim cost of living goes up

THE cost of living as measured by the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe rose marginally last month from the February figure of $559.93 to $561.24.

The food basket increased by 1,52 percent or $2,29 from $150,52 by February to $152,81 by end of March 201. The consumer watchdog reported that detergents decreased by 9,41 percent from $10,41 to $9,43 as a result of promotions.

"Detergents decreased by 98 cents or 9,41 percent from $10,41 by February to $9,43 by end of March, the decrease was as a result of supermarket promotions on most products like washing powder (Sunlight) which was on promotion in all Spar supermarkets," said CCZ.

An increase in prices was recorded for margarine, fresh milk, mealie-meal, onions and cooking oil.

The price of margarine increased by six cents from $2,39 to $2,45,  mealie-meal from $12,25 to $12,30, sugar by 10 cents from $1,75 to $1,85, fresh milk by four cents from 70 cents to 74 cents, cooking oil by six cents from $1,55 to $1,61, flour by six cents from $1,89 to $1,95, salt by three cents from 20 cents to 23 cents and  onions by 10 cents from 95 cents to $1,05.

A decrease in prices was recorded in beef, tomatoes, bath soap, laundry bars and washing powder.

Beef went down by 10 cents from $4,00 to $3,90, tomatoes went down by eight cents from 98 cents to 90 cents, bath soap decreased by 10 cents from 79 cents to 69 cents, laundry bars by 10 cents from $1,10 to $1,00 and washing powder decreased by six cents from 95 cents to 89 cents.

Prices for other commodities which include fuel, bread, rice and tea leaves remained unchanged from the February prices.

The CCZ continues to encourage consumers to shop conscientiously, buy certified products and exercise their right to information by carefully checking if the products are well labelled, packaged and provided with vital information such as manufacturing, expiry dates and ingredients used in the make up of the product.