Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) says the cost of meeting basic needs for a family of five in Lusaka rose to K12,000.94 in August 2026 from K11,698.42 in July.
This represents an increase of K302.52, reflecting continued pressure on household incomes amid the high cost of living.
According to JCTR, the August increase was largely driven by higher prices of essential food items, particularly vegetables, despite some relief from declining mealie-meal prices.
Across the 16 districts monitored by JCTR, the average Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket (BNNB) stood at K8,480.72 in August, with seven districts recording costs above the average.
The districts include Chipata, Kabwe, Kitwe, Livingstone, Solwezi, Ndola and Lusaka, which recorded the highest basket at K12,000.94, followed by Ndola at K10,444.93 and Solwezi at K10,365.22. Chinsali recorded the lowest basket at K6,669.41, followed by Mongu at K6,755.94 and Mansa at K6,869.35.
In a statement, JCTR said the increase in essential food costs was largely associated with rising vegetable prices.
In Chinsali, the essential food component rose from K3,862.17 in July to K4,225.41 in August, while the cost of vegetables increased from K705.13 to K815.70. “A similar trend was observed in Lusaka, where the total essential food items shot from K4,772.36 in July to K5, 207.36 in August,” JCTR observed.
The Centre noted that the increase was driven by a rise in the price of a 40-kilogramme bag of vegetables from K686.38 to K979.70, while the price of bananas increased from K20.43 to K27.19 per kilogramme.
JCTR said the increase in vegetable prices indicates the influence of seasonal availability and supply conditions on the market, although households received some relief from declining mealie-meal prices in several districts.
“The price of a 25kg bag of roller-meal declined from K189 in July to K159.28 in August in Lusaka, from K204.99 to K180.83 in Livingstone, and from K203.40 to K181.14 in Kasama,”it said.
According to JCTR, the reductions reflect improved availability and supply conditions in the maize and mealie-meal market, supported by broader market conditions and measures aimed at ensuring adequate maize supply.
Meanwhile, charcoal prices remained relatively stable in August, with a 90-kilogramme bag in Lusaka declining from K813.33 in July to K741.67, while Ndola recorded a smaller reduction from K790 to K770.
JCTR said Prices remained unchanged in Mpika and Monze at K180.00 and K198.00, respectively, noting that the difference in charcoal prices means that the cost of meeting household energy needs remains considerably different depending on where a household is located.
The Centre also warned that the anticipated El Niño-related shocks could worsen existing cost-of-living pressures if adequate preparations are not made.
“Given forecasts of a potentially severe El Niño event, Government and cooperating partners must urgently strengthen preparedness and implement anticipatory measures to mitigate likely impacts on food production, water and energy availability, household incomes and prices,” JCTR stressed.
It warned that failure to act early could compound existing cost-of-living pressures and deepen vulnerability, particularly among poor and food-insecure households.
