Pick ‘n Pay, OK, and TM have increased the prices of 2kg of sugar from $1.90 to $2.15, 20 kg of mealie-meal from $9.98 to $11, 2litres of cooking oil from $3.89 to $3.99 and white meat from $4.50 to $5.50.
Prices for commodities like tomatoes, cabbage, washing powders and soap have decreased while flour, bread, tea leaves, and salt remain unchanged.
According to the Consumer Council Zimbabwe website, the food basket increased from $153,09 in September 2012 to $160,01 in October 2012 by $6,92. In November the figure was at $172.00, and continued to rise, said the consumer watchdog.
Rosemary Siyachitema, the council’s director, said it had become the norm for retailers to increase prices of basic commodities during the Christmas period and warned consumers against overspending.
She said the increase of basic commodities was affecting the average salary earners, who were getting salaries below the current poverty datum line of $510 for a family of six.
“We are worried by the increases in the price of basics commodities because they are hurting the poor and average salary earners. The general public is self-employed and they are not earning much,” she said.
Consumers told The Zimbabwean they had resorted to grocery clubs, were they buy groceries throughout the year and share at the end of the year to avoid being caught up in the “Christmas madness”.
“We noticed that prices always go up during the festive season, so we formed grocery clubs. We buy basic commodities in cartons which we share,” said Tracy Marange, a teacher at David Livingstone Primary school.
Another consumer said they set aside monthly contributions as a group.
“In our club we have 12 members and we have been making monthly contributions of $30 each. We will share the money on December 19th and each member will get $360 for Christmas shopping,” said Chiedza Mazise of Chikurubi Prison Camp.
Post published in: News