• Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket for July 2023 in Lusaka, stood at K9, 301.18
• This is in comparison to the recorded figure of K9, 239.45 in June 2023, signifying an increase of K61.73.
• The basket’s upward movement can be attributed to price increases in food items such as two bags of roller mealie meal.

Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) says the cost of living for a family of five in Lusaka as measured by the Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket (BNNB) increased by K61.73 to K9, 301.18 in July 2023, from K9, 239.45 in June 2023.
Centre Social and Economic Development (SED) Programme Manager, Muchimba Siamachoka attributed the rise in the basket to price increases in food items such as two bags of roller mealie meal, Chicken and vegetables.
Ms. Siamachoka however noted that non-food items section recording a decline in the charcoal that saw a drop in price, with two 90kg bag reducing by K40 from K700 to K660.
“The cost of living for a family of five, as measured by the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket (BNNB) for the month of July 2023 in Lusaka, stood at K9, 301.18. In comparison to the recorded figure of K9, 239.45 in June 2023, this signifies an increase of K61.73. The basket’s upward movement can be attributed to price increases in food items such as two bags of roller mealie meal which increased by K39.67 from K321.99 (K161/25kg) to K361.66 (K180.83/25kg).”
“Chicken increased by K75.68 from K256.49/5kg (K102.60/2kg) to K332.17/5kg (K132.87/2kg) while vegetables increased by K174.48 from K449.35/40kg to K623.83/40kg,” Ms. Siamachoka stated.
She added that the with the cost of two bags of roller mealie meal exceeding the K360 mark, the monthly cost of Zambia’s staple food is now above the monthly disbursement of K200 per household provided under the Social Cash Transfer.
“The high cost of living, undeniably a global crisis, has continued to be driven by factors such as seasonality, fuel pump price fluctuations and exchange rate variations. These movements have continued to cause a steady increase in the price of both food and non-food items. This scenario makes it difficult for households to attain fundamental basic necessities, as incomes and livelihoods rarely adapt in sync with fluctuations in prices.”
“ The July BNNB data revealed a worrying trend, with the cost of two bags of roller mealie meal exceeding the K360 mark, thereby eroding the purchasing power of households and making it increasing challenging for households to manage their daily expenses. This means that the monthly cost of Zambia’s staple food has now exceeded the monthly disbursement of K200 per household provided under the Social Cash Transfer meant to bolster the resilience of vulnerable families.
Ms. Siamachoka called on government to establish strategic reserves of essential commodities like mealie meal to buffer against supply shocks and price fluctuations.