Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection says the Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket (BNNB) for the month of June 2020 has reduced to K7, 060.80 ngwee from the May 2020 basket which stood at K7, 195.60 ngwee

Confirming the development to Money FM News, JCTR Acting Social and Economic Development Manager Muchimba Siamachoka says reductions in the basket were noted in prices of items such as vegetables pounded groundnuts and onion, Kapenta and sweet potatoes among others.

“Reductions in the basket were noted in prices of the following items; vegetables moved from K502.73 to K 440.77 for 40kg, pounded groundnuts (4kgs) moved from K79.23 to K33.77, onion reduced from K94.07 to K61.80 for 4kg, kapenta that fell to K183.17 from K204.52 for 1kg and sweet potatoes moved from K37.99 to K18.43 for 4kgs,” she said in a statement.

Ms. Siamachoka explained that from the non-food but essential items the price of charcoal reduced from K332.00 to K322.40 for two 90kg bags from the preceding month.

She however said the increases in the basket have been recorded in the prices of cassava flour that rose sharply to K211.75 from K70.97 in May a difference of K140.78 and soya pieces that moved from K69.95 to K90.55.

“Additionally, further reductions on the food items were noted in the price of other fruits that moved from K321.67 to K251.63, tomato reduced from K58.97 to K38.38, bananas moved from K203.03 to K189.78 and the price of cooking oil reduced from K109.45 to K99.12,” she said.

She noted the reduction in the prices of some items in the basket, especially the agricultural produce, is attributed to the increased supply as a result of the harvest season.