November 2023 Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket Statement: Navigating Ongoing Solutions to the Cost of Living Crisis Required

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 November in Lusaka stood at K9, 060.60. In comparison to the recorded figure of K9, 294.76 in October 2023, this signifies a reduction of K234.16. Our research attributes this reduction in the basket to the reduced average price of a number of items in our basket. For instance, the average price of charcoal reduced from K461/90kg bag to K350/90kg bag and kapenta reduced from K297.10/kg to K250.49/kg. In addition, the average price of mealie meal reduced from K229/25 kg to K220.71/25 kg and bananas reduced from K18.93/kg to K15.03/kg. The research also revealed an increase in the average prices of food items such as vegetables which recorded an increase in prices from K468.66/40 kg to K535.37/40 kg and other fruits (oranges) increased from K9.95/kg to 14.45/kg.