The Consumer Council of Zimbabwe said Wednesday that the cost of living for low-income urban dwellers went up 1.2 percent from June to July as a basket of essential goods rose in cost from US$481.11 to US$486.92.
Consumer Council Executive Director Rosemary Siyachitema said the increase in the cost of living resulted from higher beef and cabbage prices. Beef prices went up 69 cents a kilogram while cabbage rose 30 cents a kilo.
Siyachitema said the consumer cost index continues to be inflated by utility, education and health costs.
She told VOA Studio 7 reporter Gibbs Dube that beef prices are likely to remain high due to a dwindling stock of cattle in the country. “The national cattle herd was almost decimated by drought in the late 1980s and as such it has been very difficult to raise enough slaughter stock,” Siyachitema explained.
Consumer Council Executive Director Rosemary Siyachitema said the increase in basic living costs was driven by higher beef and cabbage prices
