The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) has been keeping a close eye on the rising cost of life in Lusaka since the early 1990s, using a simple monthly price survey of important food and non-food products. Many people in Zambia are aware of the work of the JCTR and its battle to create a society where faith supports justice for all, especially for the poor, because to the popularity of this basket poll.
The Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket (BNNB) for a family of five living in Lusaka in August 2021 was K8, 413.65, according to the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR). This was a K81.87 decrease from the July basket of K8, 495.52. The September basket has yet to be released.
Meanwhile, Zambia’s annual inflation rate increased to 21.5 percent in January 2021 from 19.2 percent in December 2020, according to Zamstats. Prices of goods and services climbed by 21.5 percent on average between January 2020 and January 2021. The inflation rate fell to 22.1 percent in September 2021, down from 24.4 percent in August. Prices of goods and services grew by 22.1 percent on average between September 2020 and September 2021. This could result in a high cost of living. However, there have been price movements in items such as 2kg of soya pieces, which decreased by K64.56 to K108.81 from K173.37, 14kg of other fruits, which decreased by K18.74 from K316.56 to K297.82, 2kg of beef, which decreased by K16.57 from K155.14 to K138.57, 3.6 litres of cooking oil, which decreased by K17.17 to K148.94 from K166.11, Food products such as 16kg of bananas increased in price by K36.49 from K217.05 to K253.54 in the basket, while non-food but important items such as 2 90kg bags of charcoal increased in price by K18.4 from K720 to K738.4.
Given the recent harvesting season, there was a surplus of soya beans on the market, which may have led to the price drop in soya pieces. Furthermore, the price of other fruits (apples and oranges) has dropped to K297.82 from a high of K431.91 in June, owing to considerable downwards fluctuations in the exchange rate, as other fruits are primarily imported. Another noticeable decrease was in the price of vegetables, which can be linked to seasonal changes as the country approaches the summer.
Furthermore, between August and September 2021, the national average price of a 25 kg bag of Breakfast Mealie Meal declined by 1.46 percent, from K141.47 to K139.40, while the national average price of a 25 kg bag of Roller Mealie Meal decreased by 3.87 percent, from K111.45 to K107.14.
Additionally, the national average price of a 20-litre tin of Maize Grain climbed 1.86 percent from K59.81 to K60.92. Retail prices for a 25kg bag of Breakfast Mealie Meal climbed by 9.30 percent from K127.54 to K139.40 on an annual basis between September 2020 and September 2021, while the national average price for a 25kg bag of Roller Mealie Meal increased by 9.48 percent from K97.86 to K107.14. From K52.34 to K60.92, the national average price of a 20-litre tin of Maize Grain grew by 16.39 percent.
Provincial Annual Inflation Rate:
- Northern province recorded the highest annual inflation at 30.7%, followed by the Copperbelt at 20.6%.
- Southern province recorded the lowest annual inflation at 13.8%.
- Annual Inflation for November decreased for all Provinces:
Central (19.6% from 22.2%), Copperbelt (20.6% from 21.3%), Eastern (19.9% from 21.1%), Luapula(19.3% from 21.1%) Lusaka (17.9% from 20.4%), Northern (30.7% from 32.2%), North-western (20.2% from 21.3%), Southern (13.8% from 16.4%) and Western (15.8% from 17.4%).
The Zamstats data above offers us a good idea of what to look for in terms of food commodity pricing for the rest of the year. As a result, the food basket may be reduced. This will enable most impoverished people to afford essential food items, as well as lessen the national malnutrition rate. Furthermore, the country is projected to benefit from this farming season’s large harvest by exporting maize and other crops to neighbouring countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo.