• 2kg of beef went down by K16.57 from K155.14 to K138.57.
• Price decline in imported fruits attributed to significant downwards movements in the exchange rate.
• The abundance of soya beans on the market given the harvesting season has been noted.

Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) says Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket (BNNB) for a family of five in Lusaka has declined by a K81.87 to K8, 413.65ngwee for the month of August 2021 from the July basket which stood at K8, 495.52.

JCTR Social and Economic Development Programme Manager Chama Mundia tells Money FM News that the movement in the basket is attributed to price movements in items such as 2kg of soya pieces which went down by K64.56 to K108.81 from K173.37, 14kg of other fruits which reduced by K18.74 from K316.56 to K297.82, 2kg of beef by K16.57 from K155.14 to K138.57.

“3.6 liters of cooking oil showed a decline of K17.17 moving to K148.94 from K166.11, a kg of pounded groundnuts reduced by K15.52 from K61.22 to K45.70, the price of 40kg of vegetables reduced by K15.24 from K517.08 to K501.24,” she narrated.

According to Mrs. Mundia, “the basket recorded price increases in food items such as 16kg of bananas increased by K36.49 from K217.05 to K253.54 and from the non-food but essential items, the price of 2 90kg bags of charcoal increased by K18.4 from K720 to K738.4.”

She stated that the abundance of soya beans on the market given the harvesting season has been noted and might have contributed to the downward change in the price of soya pieces.

Mrs. Mundia further explained the price of other fruits which constitutes apples and oranges has shown further decline to K297.82 from the high June price of K431.91, attributed to the significant downwards movements in the exchange rate as other fruits are mainly imported.

“The other notable decline was in the price of vegetables attributed to seasonal change as the country heads to the warmer season,” she said.