Zâmbia - Taxa de Inflação

The annual inflation rate in Zambia edged up to 10.7 percent in October 2019 from 10.5 percent in the previous month. It is the highest inflation rate since October 2016, amid continued food price growth (13.3 percent vs 12.4 percent in September), namely breakfast mealie meal, roller mealie meal, maize grain, rice imported and chicken. In contrast, cost slowed a bit for non-food products (7.8 percent vs 8.3 percent), mainly driven by transport (16.5 percent vs 21.2 percent). On a monthly basis, consumer prices went up 0.9 percent, after rising 1.2 percent in the previous month.

The annual inflation rate in Zambia climbed to 10.5 percent in September 2019 from 9.3 percent in the prior month. This is the highest inflation rate in almost three years, amid rising prices of food (12.4 percent vs 10.3 percent in August) as the country has been struggling with a severe drought which is causing a lack of the staple food mealie meal and a looming humanitarian crisis. Meantime, poor rainfall is affecting electricity generation created mostly through hydroelectric power, a situation that will drive the country to import power from South Africa starting in October. On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 1.2 percent, after increasing 0.7 percent in the previous month.

Zambia's annual inflation rate soared to 9.3 percent in August 2019 from 8.8 percent in the previous month. This is the highest inflation rate since October 2016, mainly due rising food prices (10.3 percent vs 9.3 percent in July), amid the worst drought in almost four decades. In this regard, the Agriculture Minister Michael Katambo announced on 25th August, the introduction of a cap on the price of maize to keep the staple food affordable, after prices have reached a record high this year. This sparked farmers’ protests accusing the government of bringing back price controls. On the other hand, inflation remained steady for non-food items (at 8.3 percent). Month-on-month, consumer prices inched up 0.7 percent, after a 0.5 percent gain in the prior month.

The annual inflation rate in Zambia soared to 8.6 percent in June 2019 from 8.1 percent in the prior month, hitting its highest level since November 2016. Prices rose faster mostly for transport (21.4% vs 14.5% in May), especially the purchase of motor vehicles and food & non-alcoholic beverages (9.2% vs 9.1%), namely dried & fresh Bream fish, Buka Buka fish, fresh & dried Kapenta and cooking oil. Meanwhile, inflation slowed for housing & utilities (5.9% vs 6.0%); clothing & footwear (6.0% vs 6.4%) and restaurants & hotels (6.5% vs 6.6%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices went up 0.7 percent, after a 0.9 percent increase in the prior month.

The annual inflation rate in Zambia climbed to 8.1 percent in May 2019 from 7.7 percent in the prior month, reaching its highest level since last October. Prices rose mostly for food & non-alcoholic products (9.1% vs 8.3% in April), namely vegetables; meat and fish products. Additional upward pressure came from transport (14.5%, the same pace as in April); housing & utilities (6% vs 5.8%); furnishings (5.3% vs 5.1%); clothing & footwear (6.4% vs 6.2%); miscellaneous goods & services (6.7% vs 6.6%); recreation & culture (4.6% vs 3.7%) and restaurants & hotels (6.6%, the same pace as in April). On a monthly basis, consumer prices went up 0.9 percent after increasing 0.7 percent in the prior month.

Zambia’s annual inflation rate rose to 7.7 percent in April 2019 from 7.5 percent in the previous month. Prices increased faster for food & non-alcoholic beverages (8.3% vs 8.2% in March), namely bread & cereals such as breakfast meal, roller meal and maize grain and meat products including fillet steak, brisket, pork chops; transport (14.5% vs 14.1%), mainly purchase of vehicles and housing & utilities (5.8% vs 5.3%), due to water supply costs and services relating to dwelling. Meanwhile, inflation slowed for furnishings (5.1% vs 5.6%); education (6.1% vs 6.2%); recreation & culture (3.7% vs 4.4%) and alcoholic beverages & tobacco (5.8% vs 5.9%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices went up 0.7 percent, slowing from a 1.1 percent in the prior month.