Shopping in Zimbabwe

I’ve blogged before about the incredible in inflation in Zimbabwe and how Robert Mugabe has run down this once so prosperous African country. On August 1 the country issued their latest bank note: a 200000 dollar bill.

The new bill is worth £400 at Zimbabwe's official rate of exchange, set by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. On the widely used black market, it is worth a measly 75p.

Going shopping for a housewife is extremely hard since most shelves and fridges are empty after a controversial price slash early this summer. If she finds something this is what she has to pay for the most basic articles:

• Small bag of onions: Z$200,000
  
• Bar of Dove soap: Z$140,000
  
• One kg of rice: Z$230,000
  
• One litre of fuel, where available: Z$300,000
  
• 200g local cheese: Z$230,000
  
• 500g washing powder: Z$750,000
  
• Box of Bran Flakes: Z$260,000
  
• White loaf with sesame seeds: Z$90,000 (standard loaves are officially Z$22,000 but are not available)
  
• Small pot of jam: Z$150,000
  
• Packet of biscuits: Z$140,000
  
• One litre enamel paint: Z$1.9 million
  
• Pack of four disposable nappies: Z$1.2 million
  
• Tin of tuna: Z$290,000
  
• Tin of baked beans: Z$65,000
  
• 500ml sterilised milk - where available - Z$32,500
  
• One egg - where available - Z$15,000
  
• No chicken, beef, pork, sausages, cooking oil, sugar, flour, margarine, fruit cordial, matches.
  
• Government Herald newspaper (Page 1 yesterday proclaimed "Zanu-PF mayors endorse President"): Z$25,000. Normally sold out by 9am