Published: 03 October 2013

The cost of living for an urban family of 6 increased by 0.8% to $567,03 last month pushed up mainly by the rising cost of  food, latest figures from the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe have shown.

The September figures, despite a slight increase from the $562,52 the previous month, showed that a majority of Zimbabweans could barely sustain themselves due to high unemployment levels.

In the period under review, the food basket gained $4,11 to $154,58 by end of September, while detergents increased by 3.07% from $13,05 to $13,45.

The increase in the food basket cost was pushed up by white sugar which gained 21 cents to $2,20, roller meal which increased by 2c to $12, meat (beef) which rose by 53c to $4,38 per kilogramme and fresh milk which gained a cent up to 74 cents per 500ml.

CCZ said decreases in cabbage and onions were attributed to the seasonal increase in supply on the market.

The prices of the other basic commodities which include fuel, cooking oil, tea leaves, bread, salt, tomatoes, bath soap and washing powder remained unchanged from August 2013 figures.
- newsday

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