Dollars and mets... prices in Tete

We get paid in Swedish crowns and US dollars. We exchange the money for Mozambican meticais (met-ee-kysh). The exchange rate is favorable for us, but over the years we've learned to think in "mets" instead of dollars. Prices continue to rise every week. We especially see the difference in meat, milk and eggs... luxury items for a Mozambican, we see them as main items in our diet.

Here's a shopping list with what we paid back in May compared to what we have to pay now for the items we usually keep on hand.

1 liter of milk=52mtn, =75 mtn
1.8kg milk powder = 520mtn, =600mtn
1kg dried beans = 35mtn, =40mtn
30 eggs = 140 mtn, =200mtn
1 kg beef = 110 mtn, =150
1 kg chicken = 100 mtn, =160
1 kg cheese = 400 mtn, =580 mtn, when available
1kg onions = 50 mtn
1 kg tomatoes = 30 mtn
1kg potatoes = 20 mtn, =30 mtn
1kg rice = 25 mtn, = 32mtn
1 kg wheat flour = 30 mtn, =35mtn
1 kg sugar = 27 mtn, =33mtn
1 roll toilet paper = 15, =20, when available
1 liter cooking oil = 60 mtn, 75mtn
1 kg margarine = 150 mtn, 200mtn
1 liter fruit juice = 60 mtn, 65mtn
1 can coca cola = 25 mtn, 30mtn
4 carrots = 20 mtn
1 cucumber = 10 mtn
1 cabbage = 25 mtn, =30 mtn
10 bananas = 20 mtn
1 kg coffee = 1000 mtn, not available
4 oranges = 50 mtn
1 apple = 12mtn
1 kg laundry detergent = 80mtn, =100mtn
Cheapest shampoo = 45 mtn, = 60 mtn
average shampoo =100mtn, =140mtn
bathroom cleaner = 60mtn, =70mtn
Burger and fires at cafe =125mtn, =150mtn
Chicken dinner in restaurant = 175mtn, = 200mtn
big box of corn flakes = 120mtn, =160mtn
350gm peanut butter = 60mtn, =80mtn

These are the things often on our weekly shopping list. In all, the prices might not seem very high. What you must realize is that there aren't really other options. This is the list because there isn't really anything else to buy. I might WANT ice-cream, but I won't pay $10 for 2 liters of bad quality ice-cream. Convenience foods don't exist... frozen veggies might come now and then, but they aren't in good condition by the time they get here!

I spend about 3,000mtn a week on groceries that feeds our family, 2 maids and a night watchman. Last year, the prices were lower. I didn't really write them down, so I can't tell you how much lower. Every year at Christmas, the prices jump quite a bit. People don't have food stored up by then. It is a hungry time. I feel bad buying luxury foods to celebrate the holidays when my friends barely afford rice and beans.

Lunch for 10 people (our family + 3 guests),
Rice and beans with cabbage salad = 150mtn
Nsima (thick corn meal mush) and matapa (greens cooked with peanut and coconut) = 100mtn
Fried Chicken and mashed potatoes with lettuce salad = 400mtn
Beef curry with rice and salad = 250mtn
Bologna and cheese sandwiches with potato chips = 500mtn
Tuna salad sandwiches with fresh fruit = 250 mtn
Peanut butter and jelly with bananas= 150mtn
Spaghetti with meat sauce, green salad and green beans = 350mtn
cornflakes with bananas and milk= 200mtn
Yogurt with granola and fresh apples = 300mtn

We eat lots of rice and beans. We like matapa, but it takes a day and a half to make! We never eat bologna and cheese together-too much of a luxury! Tuna or peanut butter sandwiches appear often. We have spaghetti every week, but fried chicken about once a month! Welcome! We'd love to have you over for a meal!