​April BNNB Statement                                                                                   16th May, 2022

STABILITY OF KEY MACROECONOMIC FUNDAMENTALS KEY TO REDUCING THE HIGH COST OF LIVING

The cost of living for a family of five in Lusaka as measured by the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket (BNNB) in the month of April 2022 stood at K9, 326.41. This is an K85.13 decrease from K9, 411.50 that was recorded in March 2022. The total food cost decreased by a larger margin in comparison to the non-food cost. The food costs stood at K3, 659.19 from K3, 738.04 in March 2022, a K78.85 decrease.  The downward movement in the basket is attributed to reduced prices of items such as 16kg of bananas which reduced by K138.62 from K256.00 (16.00/kg) to K177.38 (11.09/kg), 14kg of other fruits which reduced by K42.00 from K364.00 (26.00/kg) to K322.00 (23.00/kg) and 1Kg soya pieces which reduced by K3.27 from K56.60 to K53.33. However, the April basket also recorded price increases in items such as 2 25kg bags of roller mealie meal which went up by K2.00 from K276.00 (K138.00/per bag) to K280 (K140.00/per bag), 1kg of Kapenta which went down by K2.10 from K290.01 to K292.11.
JCTR notes a decline in the BNNB as seasonality continues to affect the price movements in selected items on the basket. For instance, the price of other fruits has gone down given the abundant availability of fruits such as apples and oranges. Other key contributing factors to the reduction include the slowdown in the annual inflation rate for the ninth month straight to 11.5 percent in April, from 13.1 percent in March of 2022. This has been the lowest recording since November 2019. Additionally, the Kwacha having come under immense pressure in 2020, given a weakening macroeconomic environment worsened by the COVID 19 pandemic, has broadly stabilised in 2022. We do commend government for this achievement. Nonetheless, it has been noted that majority of prices of items on the BNNB continue to increase partly due to rises in the price of fuel albeit at a much slower pace as seen by the reduced magnitude in price changes. Generally, the cost of living does remain out of the reach of many households that continue to compromise their standards of living given this state of affairs read more>>>

The cost of living for a family of five living in Lusaka as measured by the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket (BNNB) in the month of March 2022 stood at K9, 411.50. This is a K106.12 increase from K9, 305.38 recorded in February 2022. Overall, total food cost increased by a larger margin than non-food cost. Total food costs stood at K3, 738.04 from K3, 648.92, an K89.12 increase. The upward movement in the basket is attributed to increased prices of items such as two 25kg bags of roller mealie meal which went up by K70.36 from K205.64 (K102.82/per bag) to K276.00 (K138/per bag), 1kg of Kapenta also went up by K40.41 from K249.52 to K290.00, 40kg of vegetables also went up by K14.05 from K566.41 to K580.49. Additionally, the basket also recorded increases in the price of 3.6 litres of cooking oil which went up by K6.00 from K159.63 to K165.00. However, the basket recorded decreases in 4kg of onion in view of increased domestic supply of the commodity moving from K118.20 (29.55/kg) to K100 (K25/kg), 14kg of other fruits which reduced by K36.66 from K399.66 (28.55/kg) to K364.00 (26.00/kg). 1 kg cassava flour also reduced from K146.43 from K22.94 to K137.61, a reduction of K8.82. JCTR notes that the increase in the cost of living for the month of March was on account of key causal factors. Specifically, total food costs continue to increase due to; seasonality (lean food season) and the increment in the fuel pump price recorded between December 2021 and March 2022. Additionally, the price of cooking oil continues to rise likely due to two factors. The lifting of the temporal suspension of import duty on edible oils (25percentof the value of imported edible oils) is one while the surge in the international prices of crude edible oil (this is a key input in local production) given the Ukraine-Russia conflict is another. The two countries ship more than 75% of global exports of sunflower oil. This has consequently seen prices of palm and soybean oil (the two most used oils) increase to a record high. Read More>>>

The cost of living as measured by the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket for Lusaka stood at K9, 305.38 for the month of February 2022, a K256.13 increase in comparison to the January, 2022 basket that stood at K9, 049.25. The upward movement in the basket is attributed to increased prices of some selected items. Of note, total food cost increased by a large margin moving from K3, 421.79 to K3, 768.35, a K346.56 increase. Particularly, 4kg of onions moved from K62.73 (K15.68/perKg) to K118.20 (29.55/perKg), a K55.47 increase, 1kg of kapenta moved from K244.34 to K271.52, a K27.18 increase, 4kg rice moved from K79.43 to K89.56, a K10.13 increase. Additionally, the nonfood but essential item section also recorded increases as the price of two 90Kg bag of charcoal which moved from K791.48 to K813.33, a K21.85 increase. Price decreases were however recorded in some items. Two 25Kg bags of mealie meal (Roller) reduced by K14.64 from K220.28 to K205.64, 3.6 litres of cooking oil also reduced by K7.00 from K166.63 to K159.63.
The February 2022 basket shows sustained upward price movements in the prices of essential items likely on account of a number of factors. Firstly, the first quarter of the year is a lean season and food prices tend to go up. Secondly, the instability in fuel pump prices has continued to have an impact on the cost of living. Pump prices for both petrol and diesel were recently adjusted upwards by over K2. Furthermore, on 22nd February, 2022 the Ministry of Agriculture announced the importation ban on onions and potatoes on the premise of supporting local production and local farmers. Evidently, this has yet again affected the price of onions on the market as local supply appears to be at variance with the demand of the commodity. Full statement here

RISING COST OF LIVING UNDERSCORES THE NEED FOR ROBUST SOLUTIONS IF THE NATION IS TO SEE ITS DEVELOPMENT AGENDA DELIVER FOR EACH ZAMBIAN

The cost of living as measured by the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket for Lusaka stood at K9, 049.25 for the month of January 2022, a K689.45 increase in comparison to the December, 2021 basket that stood at K8, 359.80. This signifies an 8.24percent increase in the cost of living between December 2021 and January 2022. The upward movement in the basket is attributed to increased prices in selected items. The non-food but essential items section in particular moved from K5, 240.04 to K5, 627.50, a K387.46 increase. This was on account of an increase in the estimated cost of a three bedroom house in a medium density area from K3, 490 to K3, 820. Total food cost also increased though by a smaller margin to K3, 421.79 from K3, 118.17, a K303.62 increase. Specifically, a K21.71 increase in the price of two 25Kg bags of mealie meal (Roller) from K198.57 to K220.14 was noted. 3.6 litres of cooking oil moved from K153.05 to K166.63, a K17.67 increase. Additionally, 3 trays of eggs recorded a price increase of K13.58 from K159.00 to K176.57 and 16Kg of other fruits also moved up from K159.94 to K200.28, a K40.34 increment. Price decreases were however recorded in some items such as 1Kg pounded groundnuts which reduced by K3.86 from K34.30 to K30.44. 6 Kg of cassava flour also moved from K108.79 to K156.59, a K47.8 decrease. READ MORE....

DEMANDING ACTUALISATION OF CUSHIONING INTERVENTIONS CONTAINED IN THE 2022 NATIONAL BUDGET The cost of living for a family of five in Lusaka as measured by the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket (BNNB) for December 2021 stood at K8, 359.80, a K214.52 increase in comparison to the November basket that stood at K8, 145.28. The upward movement in the basket is attributed to increased prices of some selected items. Of note, total food cost increased by a larger margin than non-food items moving from K2, 905.24 to K3, 118.17, an increase of K212.93. The non-food but essential items section on the other hand moved to K5, 241.63 from K5, 240.04, an increase of K1.59. 1kg of other fruits also moved from K109.75 to K159.94, an increase of K50.19. 25Kg bag of mealie meal (roller) moved from K91.14 to K99.28, translating to K198.57 for 2 25kg bags, 40Kg of vegetables also increased by K138.71 from K423.79 to K562.59. Additionally, increases were noted in the prices of 1Kg kapenta which went up by K53.79 from K233.87 to K287.66 and 5kg of chicken moved from K285.35 to K306.42, an increase of K21.07. Price decreases were however recorded in some items. 1Kg pounded groundnuts reduced by K14.35 from K48.65 to K34.30. 2 90Kg bags of charcoal also increased by K20.00 from K756.00 to K776.00. Read more>>>

We are pleased to share with you the JCTR Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket (BNNB) reports for all 16 towns and its accompanying statement for the month of June 2020. Over the last three decades, the JCTR has been consistently monitoring the cost of living in Zambia. The information generated in our monthly surveys, is critical in building the development capacities of key stakeholders to inclusively and effectively dialogue on issues affecting the lives of Zambians for the purpose of informing practical change.

DIET DIVERSIFICATION AT INDIVIDUAL AND HOUSEHOLD LEVELHouseholds can ;

1. Plan meals; This allows for more time to incorporate nutritious food in meals.
2. Cook at Home; one can gain the benefit of knowing what exactly is in their food
3. Develop a habit of buying local indigenous foods
4. Stop buying fast foods.
5. Produce that is in season is typically cheaper and more nutritious.
6. Grow your own produce by simply starting with a small garden

IMPROVED KNOWLEDGE AND EDUCATION ON PREVENTION AND CONTROL FOR POLICY MAKERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC

Integrating health and nutrition education into lessons, meals, and gardening activities promotes healthy habits such as dietary diversity, food and water safety, food processing, nutrient preservation, sanitation, and hygiene.

PROMOTION OF THE PRODUCTION OF LOCAL FRUIT AND VEGETABLES

Fruits and vegetables constitute a key component of what a nutritious diet should comprise. Both small and large scale local production of these foods would therefore greatly contribute to enhancing availability and affordability.

DELIBERATE GOVERNMENT INTERVENTIONS AND POLICY NEED TO BE OPERATIONALISED TO PROMOTE COST EFFECTIVE HEALTHY FOOD PRODUCTION.

Investment in line with government policy on economic diversification through the taxation regime like low or no duty on importation of farmer inputs for fruits. Funding opportunities towards entrepreneur activities that will support slicing, packaging, canning, and dicing, and production of juice, sauces and preservatives may prove useful. Additionally, one area for potential opportunity lies in private-public partnerships with tax incentives in the area of production or processing of horticulture products.

DIVERSIFYING AND PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES REMAINS IMPERATIVE AS NUTRITION IS BEING THREATENED BY CLIMATE CHANGE EVEN IN ZAMBIA.
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Without action, climate change will negatively impact nutrition through decreased food quantity and access, decreased dietary diversity, and decreased food nutritional content. What we need is climate-smart and nutrition-sensitive food systems in order to ensure that mitigation and adaptation strategies take nutrition into account.

Accessing Affordable NutritionDIET DIVERSIFICATION AT INDIVIDUAL AND HOUSEHOLD LEVELHouseholds can ;

1. Plan meals; This allows for more time to incorporate nutritious food in meals.
2. Cook at Home; one can gain the benefit of knowing what exactly is in their food
3. Develop a habit of buying local indigenous foods
4. Stop buying fast foods.
5. Produce that is in season is typically cheaper and more nutritious.
6. Grow your own produce by simply starting with a small garden

IMPROVED KNOWLEDGE AND EDUCATION ON PREVENTION AND CONTROL FOR POLICY MAKERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLICIntegrating health and nutrition education into lessons, meals, and gardening activities promotes healthy habits such as dietary diversity, food and water safety, food processing, nutrient preservation, sanitation, and hygiene.
PROMOTION OF THE PRODUCTION OF LOCAL FRUIT AND VEGETABLESFruits and vegetables constitute a key component of what a nutritious diet should comprise. Both small and large scale local production of these foods would therefore greatly contribute to enhancing availability and affordability.
DELIBERATE GOVERNMENT INTERVENTIONS AND POLICY NEED TO BE OPERATIONALISED TO PROMOTE COST EFFECTIVE HEALTHY FOOD PRODUCTION.Investment in line with government policy on economic diversification through the taxation regime like low or no duty on importation of farmer inputs for fruits. Funding opportunities towards entrepreneur activities that will support slicing, packaging, canning, and dicing, and production of juice, sauces and preservatives may prove useful. Additionally, one area for potential opportunity lies in private-public partnerships with tax incentives in the area of production or processing of horticulture products.
DIVERSIFYING AND PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES REMAINS IMPERATIVE AS NUTRITION IS BEING THREATENED BY CLIMATE CHANGE EVEN IN ZAMBIA.Without action, climate change will negatively impact nutrition through decreased food quantity and access, decreased dietary diversity, and decreased food nutritional content. What we need is climate-smart and nutrition-sensitive food systems in order to ensure that mitigation and adaptation strategies take nutrition into account.