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The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) has reported another increase in the cost of basic needs for Zambian households, with the Lusaka Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket rising to K12,000.94 in August.
The basket for a family of five climbed from K11,698.42 in July, representing an increase of K302.52 in one month, according to the latest JCTR Basic Needs Nutrition Basket (BNNB) report issued in Lusaka on Thursday.
The report, which covers 16 districts, shows the national average basket stood at K8,480.72 and Seven districts recorded baskets above the average, including Chipata, Kabwe, Kitwe, Livingstone, Solwezi, Ndola and Lusaka, while nine districts were below it.
Lusaka recorded the highest basket at K12,000.94, followed by Ndola at K10,444.93 and Solwezi at K10,365.22 and the lowest was Chinsali at K6,669.41, followed by Mongu at K6,755.94 and Mansa at K6,869.35.
“The increase reflects the continued high cost of living and the growing difficulty many households face in meeting their basic needs with limited incomes,” JCTR stated in the briefing.
Food prices were mixed in August with essential food items recording modest increases, largely driven by higher vegetable prices.
In Chinsali, the essential food component rose from K3,862.17 in July to K4,225.41 in August, while vegetable costs increased from K705.13 to K815.70.
“In Lusaka, the total essential food items shot from K4,772.36 in July to K5,207.36 in August. This rise was driven by an increase in the price of a 40kg bag of vegetables from K686.38 to K979.70 and bananas that rose from K20.43 to K27.19 for 1kg,” the statement noted.
JCTR said despite the increases, key staples offered some relief with the price of a 25kg bag of roller-meal declining in several districts, including from K189.00 to K159.28 in Lusaka, from K204.99 to K180.83 in Livingstone, and from K203.40 to K181.14 in Kasama.
It attributed the drop to improved availability and supply conditions in the maize and mealie-meal market.
“The reductions reflect improved availability and supply conditions in the maize and mealie-meal market, supported by broader market conditions and measures aimed at ensuring adequate maize supply,” JCTR said.
On non-food items, charcoal prices remained relatively stable but varied widely by district. Lusaka recorded a decline in a 90kg bag from K813.33 to K741.67, while Ndola dropped from K790.00 to K770, prices were unchanged in Mpika and Monze.
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“The gap between the highest and lowest prices was K590.00, with Ndola recording the highest price and Mpika the lowest. This variation means that the cost of meeting household energy needs remains considerably different depending on where a household is located,” JCTR stated.
The centre warned that forecasts of a potentially severe El Niño event could worsen the situation and called for urgent preparedness to mitigate impacts on food production, water, energy, incomes and prices.
“Government and cooperating partners must urgently strengthen preparedness and implement anticipatory measures to mitigate likely impacts on food production, water and energy availability, household incomes and prices,” JCTR urged.
The report also highlighted the gap between earnings and living costs.
According to the 2024 Labor Force Survey cited by JCTR, average monthly earnings stood at K6,467, while 55.2 percent of paid employees earned K2,700 or less per month.
“In every town monitored, the basket at the top of its range exceeds average national earnings. It is this gap between earnings and the cost of the basket, rather than the movement of prices alone, that determines whether a household can meet its basic needs,” reads the statement.
JCTR stated that immediate coordinated action was needed to prevent climate-related disruptions from translating into further increases in the cost of living, and to build a more just and inclusive society where every person can enjoy the fullness of life.
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