News / National
Cost of living goes up
05 Mar 2013 at 22:46hrs | Views
The recent increase in fuel prices has had a significant impact on the prices of food with the low-income urban earner monthly basket for a family of six going up 0,5 percent in the month of February.
Prices of fuel recently went up from US$1,32 to US$1,40 for diesel while petrol prices went from US$1,47 up to US$1,55. According to the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe, this resulted in the marginal increase in prices for most basic commodities with the cost of living going up from US$567,90 in January to US$570,78 in the month of February. The food basket went up US$2,48 from US$155,43 in January to US$157,91 in February.
In January, millers increased the price of mealie meal from US$5,00 to US$5,54 per 10 kilogrammes which resulted in retailers also increasing their prices from US$10,38 to US$11,96 for a 20kg pack.
The price of mealie meal continued on an upward trend in February, going up US$0,42 to US$12,38.
Cooking oil also went up US$0,20 from US$1,55 to US$1,75 for a 750ml bottle in February.
Tomatoes and bath soap also went up by US$0,10 each with tea leaves recording the highest increase of US$0,47 from US$1,03 in January to US$1,50 in the month of February.
A slight decrease in the prices of margarine and washing powder were noted, with beef registering the biggest decrease of US$0,17 from the January figure of US$5,07 to US$4,90 per kg in February. Prices for bread, milk, sugar, salt, flour and laundry bars remained unchanged.
CCZ figures for transport, rent, water and electricity, health, education and clothing have not changed.
Prices of fuel recently went up from US$1,32 to US$1,40 for diesel while petrol prices went from US$1,47 up to US$1,55. According to the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe, this resulted in the marginal increase in prices for most basic commodities with the cost of living going up from US$567,90 in January to US$570,78 in the month of February. The food basket went up US$2,48 from US$155,43 in January to US$157,91 in February.
In January, millers increased the price of mealie meal from US$5,00 to US$5,54 per 10 kilogrammes which resulted in retailers also increasing their prices from US$10,38 to US$11,96 for a 20kg pack.
The price of mealie meal continued on an upward trend in February, going up US$0,42 to US$12,38.
Cooking oil also went up US$0,20 from US$1,55 to US$1,75 for a 750ml bottle in February.
Tomatoes and bath soap also went up by US$0,10 each with tea leaves recording the highest increase of US$0,47 from US$1,03 in January to US$1,50 in the month of February.
A slight decrease in the prices of margarine and washing powder were noted, with beef registering the biggest decrease of US$0,17 from the January figure of US$5,07 to US$4,90 per kg in February. Prices for bread, milk, sugar, salt, flour and laundry bars remained unchanged.
CCZ figures for transport, rent, water and electricity, health, education and clothing have not changed.
Source - TH
