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The JCTR Urban Basic Needs Basket (BNB) for the month of June has shown a gradual price increase in food items such as mealie meal and cooking oil.
A significant increase of K21, 600 was seen in the price of dry fish which rose from K53, 400 to K75, 000. Nominal increases were recorded in all the other food items except for sugar which significantly reduced by K2, 900 from K8, 300 in May to K5, 400 in June. The total for the June BNB was K1, 941,350, from May was K1, 931,350, an increase of K10, 000. The total for food items alone was K748, 450.
The intermittent rise in food prices has been further influenced by the unprecedented rise in oil prices. The subsequent hike in transport fees is likely to lead to a spiral increase in the cost of essential food and non-food items. ”Thus,“ says Ms. Chibuye, ”it is important to recognize that high cost of living without commensurate rise in household incomes adversely affects the capacity of households to meet basic needs particularly the food items.“ Inadequate food intake increases the incidence of malnutrition and leads to stunted growth for children, lack of concentration at school, limited economic performance in adults which may lead to long term adverse effects on the nation. Poor performance of MDG Number 1 therefore has a potential to affect negatively education, health and the general welfare of the nation.
”As Zambia moves closer to the MDG target date,“ says Miniva Chibuye, ”the increased revenues currently being derived from the mines must be utilised wisely if we are to genuinely meet the MDGs by 2015“. Ms. Chibuye notes that a three pronged approach to meeting these goals is required: first, there should be increased investments in human development such as education and health to enable more people to effectively participate in economic development; second, the process of rural development should be well managed and the starting point is to make it profitable for farmers to increase their productivity; and third, increasing government expenditure on social security, particularly cash transfers, will make a significant difference in the lives of the poor.
JCTR BASIC NEEDS BASKET: LUSAKA June 2008
COST OF BASIC FOOD ITEMS FOR A FAMILY OF SIX IN LUSAKA
Commodity Kwacha Quantity Total
Mealie meal (breakfast) 46,700 3 x 25 Kg bags 140,100 Beans 12,800 2 Kgs 25,600 Kapenta (Siavonga) 68,300 2 Kgs 136,600 Dry Fish 75,000 1 Kg 75,000 Meat (mixed cut) 19,100 4 Kgs 76,400 Eggs 6,000 2 Units 12,000 Vegetables (greens) 3,100 7.5 Kgs 23,250 Tomato 4,500 4 Kgs 18,000 Onion 5,100 4 Kgs 20,400 Milk (fresh) 10,200 1 x 2 litres 10,200 Cooking oil 26,200 2 x 2 litres 52,400 Bread 3,500 1 loaf/day 105,000 Sugar 5,400 8 Kgs 43,200 Salt 2,000 1 Kg 2,000 Tea (leaves) 8,300 1 x 500 g 8,300 Sub-total K748,450
COST OF ESSENTIAL NON-FOOD ITEMS
Charcoal 66,300 2 x 90 Kg bags 132,600 Soap (Lifebuoy) 1,700 10 tablets 17,000 Wash soap (Boom) 2,900 4 x 400 g 11,600 Jelly (e.g., Vaseline) 7,300 1 x 500 ml 7,300 Electricity (medium density) 125,000 125,000 Water & Sanitation (med - fixed) 99,400 99,400 Housing (medium density) 800,000 800,000 Sub-total K1,192,900
Total for Basic Needs Basket K1,941,350
Other additinal costs
This survey was conducted on 25th June 2008 by JCTR
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