• Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket for the month of May, 2022 stood at K9, 293.04.
• This represents a decrease of K33.37 from the April, 2022 basket which stood at K9, 326.41.
• This is attributed to the reduction to price movements in the food item section.

Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection has disclosed that the cost of living for a family of five in Lusaka as measured by the Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket reduced to K9, 293.04 in May 2022.
JCTR Social and Economic Development Programme Officer, Natasha Phiri disclosed in a statement that this represents a decrease of K33.37 from the April, 2022 basket which stood at K9, 326.41.
Mrs. Phiri attributed the reduction in the basket to price movements in the food item section which recorded a decline of K96 from K3, 659 in April, 2022 to K3, 562 in May 2022.
“The basket has since recorded reductions in items such as; 14kg of other fruits went down by K86.33, from K322.00 (K23.00/kg) to K235.67 (K16.83/kg), 2 25kg bag of roller mealie meal also went down by K16.67 from K280.00 (K140.00 per bag) to K263.33 (K131.67 per bag).”
“Additionally, 1kg of kapenta also reduced by K24.00 from K292.11 to K268.11. From the non-food but essential items, the price of 2 90kg bags of charcoal reduced by K8.96 from K823.96 (K411.98 per bag) to K815.00 (K407.50 per bag),” Mrs. Phiri revealed.
Mrs. Phiri however said JCTR observed price increases in the value of 40 kilograms of vegetables and 4 kilograms of rice.
“On the other hand, price increases were observed in the value of 40kg vegetables which increased by K12.63 from K582.61 to K595.24, 4kg rice which went up by K2.88 from K92.00 to K94.88,” she said.
She stated that analysis of the price movements on the basket has shown that the principles of seasonality, demand and supply have continued to affect the movement of prices on the basket, particularly reflective in the price of kapenta.
Mrs. Phiri noted that following the lifting of the fish ban, there has been increased supply of the commodity on the market, hence the price reduction.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Phiri called on government to start introducing policies that would reduce the cost of food production as well as spur economic growth, while creating much needed jobs because unemployment has been one of the major challenges being experienced by most citizens in the country.
She further called on the private sector to play a key role in economic growth and job creation drive, which can significantly contribute to poverty alleviation and promotion of human dignity.
“Observing the landscape from the global economy, one of the key issues relating to the cost of living in May, 2022 is the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s call for governments to subsidize food and energy prices for countries with struggling economies as increased prices in food and energy increases the cost of living for many.”
“However, given Zambia’s current economic situation (fiscal deficit and national debt overhang), it will not be sustainable to re-introduce subsidies.”