The cost of basic needs for a family of six in Zambia has increased in the last three months.
According to the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) Basic Needs trends, the cost of living across major towns in Zambia has increased.
JCTR Programme Officer for Research, Raphael Phiri, said the nominal cost of food for Lusaka city in the month of March rose to K901, 500 from K842, 400 in January for a family of six.
Mr. Phiri said the price of tomato increased from K5, 000 per kilogramme to K7, 800 during the same period of time.
“The increase in food prices could be attributed to the rise of cost of vegetables and dry foods,” he said.
He added that the price of green vegetables also rose from K3, 800 per kilogramme in January to K5, 400 in March.
“Dry foods on the other hand, such as Kapenta rose from ZMK68, 600 in January to ZMK78, 300 in March,” he said.
Mr. Phiri explained that the cost of essential non-food items showed some stability during the same period.
However, he noted that the price of charcoal increased from K61, 000 in January to K68, 800 in March, adding that rentals for a three bed roomed house now averages K1.5 million per month in the medium density area.
The prices of other food stuffs and non-food items are likely to increase further in the second quarter of this year due to the upward adjustment of fuel prices.
Yesterday, the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) hiked fuel prices by between nine and 13.18 percent.
The price of petrol has been increased by 13.18 percent, which translates into an increase of K882.00 for a litre and 9.5 percent for diesel, translating into K598.00 increase per litre.
Petrol is now costing about K7,574 per litre from K6,692 in some service stations while diesel is costing about K6,800.
ZANIS
This requires simple elementary level economics to understand. For her energy needs Zambia depends on the Global oil producers who are also price determinants. The Global pump price has shifted and what more interventionist moves can Zambia make in the short run to mitigate these trickle down effects? Pump price subsidization is neither sustainable nor progressive option to build an economy on. The country doesn’t have capacity to make subsidization an economic norm in this developmental trajectory. This is why intellectuals must keep the research works on alternative energy while Government opening investment opportunities in exploration and development of our own oil sector for the long run.
Come on, were are the merchants of doom and glume blaming RBs GRZ while forgetting we live in a Global village. Looking from credit crunch hit western countries, Zambia seems a cheap place to live.
15% increament..but mwandi….tuzayamba che kubba panchito kanshi..
iwe chi # 2 do u know what u r tokin about..kubulaya kumakupusikani…u dont even KNOW what yo relatives r living on here…how much daz an average grz worker get..be real.
I challenge pessimists to a sober and resourceful debate on this and indeed the overall economic development t hey postulate.For the good of Zambia lets debate. I personally invite MrK to bring his socialist idea to the thread for debate.
RB – Destroyer Nkandu!!
#2 have a heart n be realistic people are suffering back home and here you are uttering rubbish sad development in Zambia mwe ,ni pa kamwala market apa ayi?**==[-x[-x~X(~X(:-t:-t
yangutataye elyo twachula nomba.
FATHER GOD I PRAY FOR EVERY FAMILY IN ZAMBIA…IT IS YOU THAT IS THEIR KEEPER AND PROVIDER…FATHER MEET EACH FAMILY AT THEIR POINT OF NEED, FOOD SCHOOL FEES, HOUSING EVERY NEED AND WANT , FATHER I PRAY THAT YOUR MIGHTY HAND SHALL BE EVIDENT IN THEIR LIVES…..FOR THE BIBLE SAYS THAT NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE TO YOU..SHOW YOURSELF STRONG IN THIS SITUATION O’ LORD..HEAR YOUR CHILDREN’S CRY…..TO YOU BE THE GLORY IN JESUS’S MIGHTY NAME…..AND THE ZAMBIANS SAID….AAAAAAMMMEEEENNN!!!!
Where is chi MMD Chiefboot Licker/Capitalist? Tomato from K5000 to K7800? That is almost doubling when that poor worker still gets peanuts.
Again………………….?:o:o:o
I thank we have to look for cheap suppliers of crude oil. This will enable us to cut the cost of most of the items on the market. It is high time we built another refinary station and start importing oil from Angola.
#1 Senior Citizen- You know very well that all is gone wrong under Bwezani, but because he is holding the spoon that feeds you, you say all is ok. Read Levicus 5:1 you will find that you are actually commiting sin by pretending that you dont see what is going on.Come election time Bwezani will reduce the price of all energy products just to get the miserable votes. You will still find some explanation to defend the act. Look at USA, Obama has to ask Congress to authorise the money to clear the Gulf of Mexico of the oil spill. Here? Bwezani can just go on an ant hill and instruct the MoF to release money for some project where a by election is taking place. And you applaud the senseless pronouncement. Eat your last uli nkulungwe walya umwaka uno wine epela
Iwe Veteleni and others you will feel it next year if dont work hard on rigging
Only dull selfish people dance to the tune of market forces which the staunch believers USA and UK have abandoned on the way. Evry gonvt protects its people, but not ours. It is full of dull people. Thats why we are telling you to start taxing the mines so that that money can be used to mitigate oil prices but you cant since you have deals with the mine infestors. Really dull selfish people we have for leaders. [-([-([-([-(
While we know Zambia depends on other forces for its survival, the leadership must work smart so the its citizenary will have confidence in them. It is the duty of govt to ensure that natural resources are utilised so that the revenue realised is benefited by all. Hefty allowances, large cabinet and other expenses must be cut so that revenue is channelled towards making the food basket cheaper. Most of our people work for food. Zambia is blessed with a lot of natural resources we are failing to utilise. We are educated but lack wisdom, too bad the gap between the rich and the poor will continue to widen as long as we depend on handouts.
We have placed our country where we do not belong whilst reeking of terminal poverty. Shame….8-|
Veteran, if you justified Govt’s recent fuel hikes without first licking-as`s, I would have reasoned with you. Our highly learned and researched Jesuits have put it simply, the basic needs for a family of six in Zambia has increased in the last three months.
Why would a ‘people-driven govt’ subject their citizenry into more poverty. Give us one good reason why people should not try another party to govern Zambians
:((:((:((:((:((:((:((:((:((:((:((:((:((:((:((:(( God help us.