• The upward movement in the basket is attributed to increased prices in selected items.
• Non-food but essential items section in particular moved from K5, 240.04 Ngwee to K5, 627.50 Ngwee.
• JCTR urges the government to find workable solutions to address the rising cost of living.

Jesuit Centre For Theological Reflection(JCTR) has disclosed that the Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket for Lusaka has increased to K9, 049.25 for the month of January 2022 an increase of K689.45 from 2021 December basket which stood at K8,359.80.

JCTR Executive Director Father Alex Muyebe during a media briefing in Lusaka noted the upward movement in the basket was attributed to increased prices in selected items.

Father Muyebe noted the non-food but essential items section in particular moved from K5, 240.04 to K5, 627.50 indicating an increase of K387.46.

He explained this was on account of an increase in the estimated cost of a three bedroom house in a medium density area from K3,490 to K3,820.

“Price increases in selected commodities is attributed to a number of factors,” Father Muyebe said.

“The Upward adjustment in the fuel pump prices has continued to register an impact on the cost of living.”

According to him, the Cost of other fruits also increased as the locally produced fruit mango becomes scarcer on the Market.

Father Muyebe added that “Inflation also continues to affect the cost of living” and “the first quarter of the year is a lean season due to farming activities and food prices tend to go up.”

The JCTR Executive Director has since urged government to find workable solutions to addressing the rising cost of living.

“As the new administration continues to implement various policies in 2022, JCTR urges the government to find workable solutions to address the rising cost of living if the nation is to see its development agenda deliver for each Zambian especially for the poor and the vulnerable,” he stated.