Food Basket

Jesuit Centre for Tehological Reflection


An estimated Food basket for a family of 
Six in Lusaka
FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2001

Commodity Kwacha Quantity Final Total

Mealie meal

 

28,730

 

3 x 25 Kg bags

 

86,190

Charcoal

 

13,000

 

2 x 90 Kg bags

 

26,000

Cooking Oil

 

13,300

 

2 x 2.5 Litres

 

26,600

Vegetables

 

1,500

 

for 30 days

 

45,000

Meat (Brisket) 1 Kg

 

9,000

 

2 Kg/week

 

72,000

Eggs 1 unit

 

3,200

 

I unit/week

 

12,800

Bread

 

1,500

 

1 loaf/day

 

45,000

Sugar 2 Kg

 

4,700

 

4 packets

 

18,800

Salt 1 Kg

 

1000

 

1 packet

 

1000

Tea 250 grams

 

5,800

 

2 packets

 

11,600

Soap (Geisha)

 

1, 600

 

6 tablets

 

9,600

Wash-Soap (Surf) 500 g

 

5,000

 

4 packets

 

20,000

Vaseline 100 grams

 

2,400

 

2 jars

 

4,800

 

 

 

 

 

 

K 379,390

This survey was conducted on 24 December 2001 by the Economic and Social Development Research Project of the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection.  Average prices were calculated on the basis of prices gathered from large retail shops at Northmead, Longacres, Town Centre and Soweto Market.

NOTE: This basket does not include housing, water, electricity, fuel, transport, clothing, education, health care, recreation, etc.

Totals for previous years

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

December

189,260

183,450

230,920

257,480

312,695

379,390

November 177,620 182,800 220,380 241,480 290,595 377,300

Supplementary items nutrition

  Commodity Kwacha Quantity Final Total
  Beans smallest size   K2,000  2 /week K16,000

  Kapenta smallest size

K2,000 2 /week K16,000

  Milk 1 litre

K1,990 2 litres/week K15,920

 

SOME NON-FOOD ITEMS

Item Kwacha Item Kwacha
Education (per year-PTA) Transport Bus fare round trip:
Primary K20,000-K30,000 Chilenje -Town K2,000
Secondary K75,000-K185,000 Chelston-Town K2,800
Health (monthly scheme) K1000 Matero-Town K1,600
Housing (medium density) K200,000-K300,000 Electricity (medium/high density) K60,000-K90,000
Housing (high density) K80,000-K150,000 Water (medium/high density) K15,000-K40,000

 

SOME COMPARATIVE FIGURES OF WAGES--''TAKE HOME PAY''

Teacher: Secretary in civil Service      Nurse Police Officer Security Guard
1. Primary
2. Secondary
SALARY 1. K280,000 - K309,000 K270,000 - K370,000 K250,000 - K320,000 K40,000-K180,000
2. K297,000 - K497,000

Please note: we are trying to gather missing comparative figures of wages and to get as accurate as possible on the figures shown above

Food basket intro | Press Release


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