• JCTR Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket for March 2021 increased to K8, 644 from K8, 512 in February.
• The rise by K132 is due to increase in prices of both food and non-food items.
• The price of onion increased by K70.66 from K70.75 to K141.

The latest Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket for the month of March 2021 as measured by the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) increased to K8, 644 from K8, 512 in February.
According to JCTR Programme Officer – Social and Economic Development Muchimba Siamachoka, the rise by K132 in the basket is mainly attributed to increase in the prices of both food and non-food items.
Ms. Siamachoka said from the basic food items, the price of onion increased by K70.66 from K70.75 to K141 for 4kg, while 40kg of vegetables increased by K47 from K444 to K491.
“On the other hand, the basket recorded some notable price reductions. 2kg of soya pieces reduced by K83.15 moving from K179.50to K96.35, the price of 3Kg beans moved from K186.14 toK108.77, a decline of K77.37, kapenta moved from K278.28 to K256.11 a reduction of K22.17, for a kg, the price of 4kg of tomatoes reduced by K12.97 moving from K73.21 to K60.24, pounded groundnuts moved from K53.86 to K41.09 a reduction of 12.77 for 1kg and the price of bananas moved from K240.53 to K230.08 showing a K10.47 reduction.”
“As the rain and planting season is coming to a close, certain food items are showing price reductions. For example, food items such as tomatoes which do not grow well in the rain season are showing a price decline. Beans and groundnuts are other examples that have become available on the market pushing the prices downwards,” Ms. Siamachoka said.
She added that from the non-food but essential items, the price of charcoal increased by K114 from K558 to K672, Price of 2kg Beef increased by K14 from K130 to K144, cassava moved from K79 to K91 an increase of K12 for 6kg, the price of cooking oil has further increased to K164 from K153 for 3.6 liters.
“One key development noted in the month of March was the effect of the onion and Irish potatoes importation ban. While well intended, the ban has had ramifications that could have been avoided as local producers were unable to meet the demand of specifically onion. This led to a 100% increase in the price of onion. However, the effect of the ban was not the same for potatoes as the commodity may not be as widely consumed by households.”
“JCTR does note that the aim of importation bans anchors on a commendable intervention of protecting local businesses in order to encourage local production as well as support local farmers. JCTR however, urges Government that such interventions require detailed consideration and all fall outs anticipated with safeguards put in place to ensure local demand can still be met,” she added.
While local farmers do demand for importation bans on the basis that foreign imports make their produce go to waste, evidently, we do not produce enough of particular commodities to meet local demand. It was for this reason that Government had to lift the ban on the importation of onion and allow 100000 tonnes of onions to be imported under emergency.
And Zambia Consumer Association (ZACA) has reiterated calls for the Bank of Zambia, Ministry of Finance and Zambia Association of Manufacturers to find a solution to the continued high cost of living.
Association Executive Secretary Juba Sakala says incentives should be provided to Industries especially on imported materials, in order to lower production costs so that their products can be affordable for most Consumers.
“The high cost of living is a concern to all stakeholders and ZACA is not an exception. We are looking at high inflation rate and exchange rate because these are some of the components that have made most basic essential commodities skyrocket in the last quarter of 2020.”
“We are calling on Bank of Zambia, Finance Minister, and Zambia Association of Manufacturers to sit down and find a solution. If there could be incentives provided to Industries especially on imported materials like duty being reduced to lower production costs so that their products will be lower for most Consumers to afford, this will definitely reduce the cost of living,” Mr. Sakala said.
Stakeholders are looking forward to the implementation of the recently launched Economic Recovery Plan as they expect government to adequately address all the economic and social issues affecting the nation.