Cost of living drops, says CCZ

Published: 07 July 2014

THE cost of living for a family of six dropped from $592.97 in May to $588.97 last month, the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe has said.

The figures reflect a 0,67 percent decrease due to promotions being run by a number of retailers.

CCZ executive director Rosemary Siyachitema said the food basket decreased by $4.17 reflecting 2.80 percent from $148.74 in May 2014 to $144.57 in June.

She, however, said a few increases were noted in detergents that increased by 17 cents reflecting a 1.66 percent from $10.23 to $10.40, onions by 38 cents from $1.07 to $1.45, washing powder by 31cents from 89 cents to $1.20, tomatoes by 13 cents from 80 cents to $1.07, rice by five cents from $1.59 to $1.64 and flour by two cents from $1.87 to $1.89.

Basic commodities that went down included mealie-meal which went down by $1.14 from $13.10 to $11.96, beef by 11 cents from $4.10 to $3.99, cooking oil by seven cents from $1.67 to $1.60, sugar by six cents from $1.85 to $1.79 and salt from 23 cents to 20 cents, tea leaves which went down by 25 cents from $1.85 to $1.60, laundry bars by 19 cents from $1.19 to $1.00, cabbage by 11 cents from 60 cents to 49 cents, washing powder by 31 cents from 89 cents to $1.20, tomatoes by 13 cents from 80 cents to $1.07, rice by five cents from $1.59 to $1.64 and flour by two cents from $1.87 to $1.89.

Siyachitema said some commodities did not change their prices and these included fuel, margarine, fresh milk, bread and bath soap.

She said CCZ was encouraging consumers to shop conscientiously and to always buy certified products.

"Where the products are not certified they must exercise their right to information by carefully examining if the products they are purchasing are well labelled, packaged and provided with vital information such as manufacturing and expiry dates and ingredients used in the make-up of the products," she said.
- chronicle

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