Lusaka cost of living rises, as Jesuit centre claims basic needs basket hit K11,844 in Feb. for family of five

The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) says the Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket (BNNB) for a family of five in Lusaka has increased to K11,844.63 in February, up from K11,365.09 recorded in January. In a statement issued in Lusaka on Thursday, Lukwesa Musonda, JCTR Acting Social and Economic Development Programme Manager, attributed the increase mainly to rising food prices. The cost of essential food items in the basket rose significantly from K4,604.43 in January to K5,089.75 in February, largely driven by an increase in the price of fruits such as apples and oranges, which rose from K17.14 to K46.44 per kilogram.

Meanwhile, the total cost of essential non-food items slightly declined to K6,754.88, compared to K6,760.67 recorded in January, with prices of most commodities remaining relatively stable, offering little relief to households already facing high food costs. “The increase in the BNNB reflects not only seasonal price pressures but also deeper structural weaknesses within Zambia’s food system that heighten vulnerability during lean periods and threaten the human dignity of families who struggle daily to meet their most basic needs,” Musonda said. She explained that February falls within the lean season, a period characterised by reduced household food stocks, limited market supply and higher transport and distribution costs.

Musonda said these seasonal dynamics typically push up prices of fresh produce and protein-rich foods, while also exposing structural challenges such as limited irrigation coverage, inadequate storage infrastructure, high post-harvest losses and reliance on rain-fed agriculture. “Although a few items such as cooking oil, onions, and tomatoes recorded marginal price reductions, these decreases were insufficient to offset the broader increases across essential food items,” she said. Musonda noted that rising food prices had direct implications for household welfare and nutrition, particularly among low-income families that allocate a large share of their income to food.

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She warned that as prices of staple and protein-rich foods increase, households may reduce meal frequency, switch to less nutritious foods or cut spending on essential services such as education, health and transport. Musonda said such coping strategies often reduce dietary diversity and increase the risk of micronutrient deficiencies, especially among children and women. The JCTR said the rise in essential food costs highlighted the need to address structural supply constraints in the country’s food system.

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