August 2023 Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket: The Undeniable Urgency of the Cost of Living Crisis Should Not Be Underestimated

The cost of living for a family of five, as measured by the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket (BNNB) for the month of August 2023 in Lusaka, stood at K9, 267.34. In comparison to the recorded figure of K9, 301.18 in July 2023, this signifies a reduction of approximately K34. Our research attributes this reduction to the reduced average prices of vegetables that moved to K413.88/40kg from K623.83/40kg, the price of cooking oil reduced to K139.92/3.6 litres from K160.66/3.6 litres and soya pieces reduced to K114.60/2kg from K143.82/kg. Despite reduction in the basket, the research also revealed an increase in the prices of food items such as roller mealie meal which increased to K195.17/25kg bag from K180.83/25kg bag. Rice increased from K231.34/4 kg to K257.06/4kg while cassava flour increased from K111.73/6kg (K18.62/kg) to K139.90/6kg (K23.32/kg) and the price of milk increased from K231.34/10 litres to K257.06/10 litres. Lastly, the price of charcoal increased from K330/90kg bag to K455/90kg bag.