March 2011 Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket: Women are more Vulnerable to High Cost of Basic Commodities, Says JCTR

The cost of living as measured by the JCTR’s Basic Needs Basket (BNB) in February 2011 for an average family of six was K2,982,350. This showed a reduction of K36,750 from K3,019,100 in January 2011. The downward adjustment was influenced by reduced average prices in basic food items. Major reductions were observed in the cost of Kapenta and Fish. Other reductions were observed in mealie-meal, beans, eggs, vegetables and tomato prices. Specifically, mealie meal reduced by K900 from K51,700 to K50,800. However, dairy products such as meat and milk increased in cost. Other minor increases were recorded in cooking oil and onion. The cost of bread, sugar, salt and tea leaves remained the same. Therefore, the norminal cost of basic food commodities for an average family of six in Lusaka reduced from K956,700 in January to K919,950 in February. However, the cost of essential non-food items such as electricity, charcoal and water was constant.