HARARE - A monthly cost of a food basket in Zimbabwe for a family of six has increased owing to the shortage of foreign cash and distortions over the international exchange rates.
A food basket for a family of six went up to US$148.30 from last months figure of US$138.05, a quick reminder that the countrys ten year economic nightmares are still not out of the woods despite a unity government formed February. This also highlights that the majority of Zimbabweans are still going hungry and cannot afford food basics since they earn less than US$200.
The firming rand means food basics imported from S A become expensive for local consumers since most shops and supermarkets would be pegging their goods using various US$ to rand exchange rates.
In June, the food section for a family of six was US$138, 05 and in July it rose to US$148, 30, owing to the firming of the South African rand and distortions that characterized the fuel market, said Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) Executive Director, Rosemary Siyachitema.
The rent, water, education, clothing and footwear basket experienced a reduction from $349 to $344 as a result of the introduction of actual usage bills and continued supply of imports on clothing and footwear, bringing competition resulting in low prices.
Siyachitema applauded service providers for re-introducing actual usage bills.
Meanwhile, CCZ has begun conducting surveys in major retail outlets to help consumers make rational decisions when buying products.