Fuel price pushes cost of living up

THE cost of living in Zimbabwe has slightly increased due to fluctuating fuel prices among other factors, the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) has said.

The consumer watchdog body conducts monthly food basket surveys twice monthly; during the first and last weeks of every month.

“The cost of living as measured by the CCZ’s low income urban earner monthly basket for a family of six increased from the end July figure of $567,91 to $571,14 by end August 2016, showing an increase of $2,96 or 0,52 percent,” said the CCZ.

“The food basket increased by $2,12 or 1,73 percent from $122,60 by end-July 2016 to $124,72 by end-August 2016. The price of detergents increased by $0,84 or 7,43 percent from $11,31 to $12,15.

“As CCZ we assume that the slight increase could be attributed to various factors and these include the current cash shortages, schools opening and fluctuating fuel prices.”

According to the CCZ, increases in prices were recorded in margarine by $0,10 from $0,85 to $0,95, cooking oil by $0,05 from $1,35 to $1,40, rice by $0,11 from $1,59 to $1,70 and onion by $0,28 from $1,20 to $1,48.

Bath soap also increased by $0,06 from $0,69 to $0,75, mealie-meal by $0,15 from $10,80 to $10,95 , meat by $0,25 from $3,50 to $3,75, salt by $0,03 from $0,23 to $0,26 and laundry bar by $0,15 from $1,05 to $1,20.

Decreases in price were recorded in bread by $0.05 from $0.75 to $0.70 and flour by $0.04 from $1.73 to $1.69, said CCZ.

The price of milk, sugar, tomatoes, tea leaves, cabbage and washing powder remained unchanged from the end August 2016 figures.— @BiancaMlilo