For many Zimbabweans, certain foods hold a special place in our hearts, and coleslaw salad is undoubtedly one of them. The dressing of choice for this beloved side dish is, without a doubt, mayonnaise. And when it comes to mayonnaise, the brand Crosse and Blackwell, or “CB Mayonnaise” as it’s affectionately known in many shops, is the undisputed champion. We have not simply made this assertion; we actually conducted polls and research (more on that later) to support this popular opinion. However, recently, there has been a scarcity of this cherished condiment in the shops, leading to a marked increase in prices. The most popular size, the 750g bottle, now retails for as high as US$3.50 in tuckshops, a considerable leap from the usual US$2.20 to US$2.50. Indeed, many tuckshops do not even have it in stock at all.

But do not fret, dear reader. Here at Zimpricecheck, we pride ourselves on being seasoned travellers and diligent researchers. We can exclusively reveal that you can purchase CB Mayonnaise for a much more reasonable price than what you may be finding elsewhere. Food Lovers Market in Greendale, for instance, has it available at US$2.70 per bottle. And surprisingly, Bhola Hardware, situated along Chinhoyi Street in Harare, also had a good stock of CB Mayonnaise, with their bottles selling at US$2.79 each. The added bonus is that both these shops accept card payments, unlike many tuckshops which stubbornly insist on cash transactions in United States Dollars.

Why the Price Hike?

CB Mayonnaise is so popular across Zimbabwe that it is easy to mistakenly believe it is a locally produced product. However, Crosse and Blackwell is, in fact, a South African brand, which means that the mayonnaise is imported from across the border. And this, unfortunately, is where the problem lies. There have been persistent accusations that many tuckshops are actually stocked using goods that have been smuggled into the country. These goods are allegedly ferried across the Limpopo River by porters, via small boats, and sometimes even on trucks. Some goods are said to pass through the official borders with the aid of corrupt officials who are bribed to turn a blind eye. This enables tuckshops to offer their goods at very low prices, undercutting formal retailers like OK and Pick N Pay who operate within legal boundaries and adhere to import regulations.

In an effort to combat this illegal trade, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), alongside various government departments, launched a concerted operation that started in December last year. This operation has targeted buses, transporters, and even members of the public, demanding proof that duty has been paid on any groceries they may have in their possession. This action, whilst having some positive effects in terms of revenue collection, has also resulted in disruption and delays, impacting the consistent flow of goods into the country. It has partially succeeded in compelling importers to pay duties, which, inevitably, has increased the costs for tuckshop owners when buying items for resale. Crosse and Blackwell Mayonnaise is one such item affected by these increases.

Furthermore, the month of December is not just any month. It is, of course, the Christmas season. As previously noted, no special occasion in Zimbabwe is complete without the classic coleslaw salad. And Christmas is no exception to this rule. The demand for essential ingredients like CB Mayonnaise increases during the Christmas period as people stock up for the festive season, causing shortages that can often last for weeks after Christmas. During such periods of high demand, some unscrupulous sellers resort to the practice of price gouging, unjustifiably hiking prices simply because they can. This is a common tactic that exploits consumers during shortages and has nothing to do with input costs or anything of that nature.

The Coleslaw Conundrum: Our Research

Zimbabweans, in general, are in agreement on one thing: we are a sadza-loving people. While we might passionately argue over the best relish to accompany it, or the superior type of mealie meal—be it refined or roller meal—our love for sadza remains a consistent and undeniable fact. No matter where they are in the world, a Zimbabwean will often long for this staple dish. Our research also reveals that when it comes to special occasions and gatherings, the overwhelming meal of choice is rice and chicken, with the indispensable side of coleslaw salad. We consume copious amounts of coleslaw, making it the most popular salad, mainly because it is easy to prepare and the ingredients are less costly than those used in other salad variations. You just require a cabbage, which can be bought for between US$0.50 and US$1 at most vegetable markets, including Mbare Musika. If you wish to add a touch of flair, you can also include red cabbage (at US$1 per head) and carrots (at US$0.50 per punnet).

Typically, there are two main options for dressing this salad: salad cream or mayonnaise. Here at Zimpricecheck, our curiosity was piqued. While most of us in the office prefer mayonnaise due to its characteristic tanginess, we are aware there are people who prefer salad cream, which has a sweeter and creamier flavour profile. Thus, in keeping with our tradition of addressing such important questions, we conducted a survey. We posted the survey on both X (formerly Twitter) and in our WhatsApp channel.

The results were quite interesting:

• X: A total of 255 people participated in our survey on X, a decent number considering that 1,655 people had seen the survey. Of these respondents, 63% indicated they preferred mayonnaise, while a mere 15% preferred salad cream in their coleslaw. Surprisingly, 20% of those who took part in the survey did not seem to know there was a difference between salad cream and mayonnaise.
• WhatsApp Channel: The results from our WhatsApp Channel mirrored the X results, but were even more pronounced. Here, 73% of respondents preferred mayonnaise in their coleslaw salad, whilst only 15% preferred salad cream. The remainder, again, were unaware of the difference between the two dressings.

The results were conclusive. It is clear that the majority of people prefer the tang of mayonnaise, and when it comes to mayonnaise, Crosse and Blackwell is a firm Zimbabwean favourite.

We will be updating our price comparison database to include these recent price movements and will continue to keep an eye on any other changes that may occur. We strive to keep you the reader up to date on all of the latest price information so you are not taken advantage of by unscrupulous sellers.