FEBRUARY BASIC NEEDS BASKET

The basic needs basket for February has been published. Every month I will publish the basket and the prices of basic commodities in Zambia.

 

 

 JCTR BASIC NEEDS BASKET: LUSAKA

                                                   FEBRUARY 2013                   

(A) COST OF BASIC FOOD ITEMS FOR A FAMILY OF FIVE IN LUSAKA

Commodity                                                   Kwacha              Quantity             Total                     Kwacha                KR

Mealie meal (breakfast)                              53,900                2 x 25Kgs           107,800                                              

Beans                                                              16,600                3 Kgs                   49,800                                                 

Kapenta (dry)                                                123,300              2 Kgs                   246,600                                              

Bream, smoked                                            85,000                1Kgs                    85,000                                                 

Beef, mixed cut                                            29,300                4 Kgs                   117,200                                              

Dark green vegetable                                   5,100                   4 Kgs                   20,400                                                 

Tomatoes                                                       5,600                   4 Kgs                   22,400                                                 

Onion, large                                                   7,300                   2 Kgs                   14,600                                                 

Cooking oil                                                    34,700                3 Litres                41,640                                                 

Bread                                                              5,000                   1 loaf/day          150,000                                              

Sugar                                                               14,100                6 Kgs                   42,300                                                 

Tea, powder                                                   47,600                1 Kgs                   47,600                                                 

Eggs                                                                 7,900                   2 Units                 15,800                                                 

Salt                                                                  3,200                   1Kgs                    3,200                                                   

Milk (fresh)                                                    5,200                   4x500ml             20,800                                                 

Sub Total                                                                                                                                                985,140                985.1400

(B) COST OF ESSENTIAL NON-FOOD ITEMS

Charcoal (90Kg bags)                                  134,800              180Kgs                269,600                                              

Soap (Champion)                                         3,000                   10 Tablets          30,000                                                 

Wash Soap (Boom)                                     4,400                   4x400g                17,600                                                 

Jelly (e.g. Vaseline)                                       11,100                1x500ml             11,100                                                 

Electricity (med. density - fixed)                372,000                                           372,000                                              

Water & Sanitation (med. cost - fixed)    210,000                                           210,000                                              

Housing (med. density - 3 bedroom)        1,750,000                                        1,750,000                                           

Sub Total                                                                                                                                                2,660,300             2,660.3000

Total for Basic Needs Basket                                                                                                             3,645,440             3,645.4400

Totals from previous months

Jan 12

Feb 12

Mar 12

Apr 12

May 12

June 12

July 12

Aug 12

Sep 12

Oct 12

Nov 12

Dec 12

Jan 13

Amount

K2,968,280

K2,996,120

K2,935,680

K2,907,540

K2,909,820

K3,395,660

K3,445,000

K3,456,360

3,455,500

K3,450,060

K3,475,720

K3,532,100

3,469,680

(C) SOME OTHER ADDITIONAL COSTS

Item                                                        Kwacha                                  Item                                                        Kwacha

Education                                                                                              Transport (bus fare round trip)                         

  Grades 8-9 (User + PTA/year)             K400, 000 – K600, 000             Chilenje-Town                                      K8, 000

  Grades 10-12 (User + PTA/year)         K650, 000 – K1, 300,000          Chelston -Town                                    K8, 600

  School Uniform (grades 8-12)              K90, 000 – K200, 000               Matero-Town                                        K8, 000

Health (clinic)                                                                                        Fuel (cost at the pump)

  Registration (book)                               K3, 000 - K5, 000                     Petrol (per litre)                                     K8, 155

  Self referral (Emergency Fee)               K 5, 500                                                    Diesel (per litre)                                    K7, 566

  Mosquito Net (private)                          K30, 000 – K120, 000               Paraffin (per litre)                                  K5, 154

(D) SOME COMPARATIVE FIGURES OF WAGES--''TAKE HOME PAY''

	Teacher	Nurse	Secretary in Civil Service	Average Monthly Income in Urban Low-Cost Area – CSO
Pay Slip	K1,695,174.82 to K2,725,990.49	K2,418,245.99 to K2,798,245.99	K1,633,715.49 to K2,749,227.15	K1,403,000 (2010 Living conditions survey)

This survey was conducted on 28^th February, 2013 by the Social Conditions Programme of the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection.  Average prices were calculated on the basis of prices gathered from retail outlets at Northmead, Shoprite (Cairo Road), City Market, Chawama, Chainda, Kabwata, Matero and schools, clinics/hospitals and filling stations around Lusaka.  The February Basic Needs Basket is approximately US$702 based upon an average middle exchange rate of 5.195KR per US$ at the end of February.

Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection, P.O. Box 37774, 10101 Lusaka, Zambia

Tel: 260-211-290-410 Fax: 260-211-290-759 E-mail: basicjctr@jesuits.org.zm  Website: www.jctr.org.zm

Location: 3813 Martin Mwamba Road, Olympia Park, Lusaka