Too Early To Celebrate Price 'Stability'

Consumers will not celebrate a slight fall in the prices of basic commodities over the past few weeks as they were already way too high, a consumer rights watchdog has said.

The Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) executive director Rosemary Siyachitema said they want prices to continue to fall;

We need to keep on tracking. Prices have declined but it is not enough. Some prices were too high and they are still high even if there is a reduction so it is not yet enough but we want a trend that prices continue to fall.

A report by the CCZ indicates that the cost of a monthly basket for a low-income urban family of six has largely been stable since June.

It said the monthly basket for July was at $14 256,98 and there was a steady rise for August to $14 438.23.

A snap survey by The Herald this week revealed that a two-litre bottle of cooking oil, which was averaging $250 two months ago, has gone down to around $214 while sugar has eased to $212 from around $250.

The price of fuel in US dollars has also marginally declined with blend now retailing at US$1,18 from last month’s price of US$1,28.

More: The Herald