Zambians Eat to Survive, Not to Thrive – JCTR

The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) has revealed that while Zambia produces sufficient food to meet national calorie requirements, many families continue to struggle to afford nutritious and diverse diets.

In its August 2025 Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket (BNNB) Statement, JCTR reported that the cost of essentials for a family of five in Lusaka stood at ZMW 11,432.17, down slightly from ZMW 11,602.45 in July. The marginal decline of ZMW 170.28 was mainly attributed to a drop in the cost of non-food items, particularly charcoal, while food prices remained volatile.

Notably, the cost of vegetables rose by ZMW 180.11, chicken by ZMW 85.30, and fresh milk by ZMW 57.00. However, reductions were observed in the prices of kapenta (down ZMW 95.80), fruits (down ZMW 92.96), and beef (down ZMW 89.12).

Despite these fluctuations, the overall cost of the BNNB remains far higher than the average household income of ZMW 5,342, leaving many families unable to meet basic needs.

A recent Ministry of Agriculture report shows that Zambia is self-sufficient in staple crops such as maize and cassava, producing an average of 2,340 kilocalories per person per day. However, nutritional gaps persist, particularly in the intake of proteins, calcium, vitamin A, zinc, and iron. The high cost of animal products and oils—often dependent on imports—continues to place nutrient-rich foods out of reach for ordinary households. As a result, nearly 30% of the population remains undernourished, despite the country being food secure in terms of availability.

The report further highlighted post-harvest losses as a major contributor to food insecurity and price instability. Crops such as cassava, potatoes, and rice face significant wastage due to poor storage and processing facilities. For tomatoes alone, losses of around 30% were reported.

To address these challenges, JCTR has recommended:

• Supporting small-scale farmers to diversify production beyond staples, focusing on legumes, vegetables, fruits, fish, and livestock.
• Expanding social protection schemes such as cash transfers, school feeding programmes, and welfare assistance to cushion vulnerable households.
• Investing in post-harvest infrastructure and value addition to curb food losses and stabilise prices.

JCTR stressed that while Zambia has made progress in food production, this has not translated into nutrition security. “Families continue to eat to survive rather than to thrive amidst high malnutrition levels,” the Centre said. It urged urgent action to ensure nutritious diets are both affordable and accessible so that all households can live with dignity.