August 2001 Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket: JCTR Food Basket Record Huge Increase: Proportion of Household Expenditure on Mealie Meal Rises

According to Central Statistical Office publication, Living Conditions in Zambia (1998), Preliminary Report, food amounted to 59 per cent as a share of the national household expenditure. Already we see here (1998) that the food budget was very high indicative of high poverty levels. With the rise in the current cost of the Food Basket, the situation will even become worse.The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) monthly Food Basket for a family of six in Lusaka has recorded a huge increase in its cost. The cost of the Food Basket for the month of August stands at K348,500. This is up by K15,980 from the July figure of K332,520. According to JCTR Economic and Social Development Research Project Coordinator Muweme Muweme, ''the increase is largely attributed to the rise in the cost of mealie meal during the month of August.'' The cost of mealie meal now averages K24, 100. This translates into K72, 300 for the three bags. required to feed a family of six in Lusaka.Irish Aid and Joint Country Programm