The annual inflation rate has increased by 0.4 percentage points from 14.3 percent in April, 2009 to 14.7 in May 2009.
C.S.O Director of Census and Statistics Efreda Chulu attributed the increase to the rise in the price of some food and non-food products.
Ms Chulu said of the total 14.7 percent annual inflation in May 2009, food products accounted for 7.9 percent, while non-food products accounted for a total of 6.8 percent.
She said the annual food inflation rate was recorded at 16.1 percent in May, which was an increase from15.9percent in April.
She explained that this has contributed to the increase in food inflation where an increase in the cost of white breakfast mealie meal, cereals and cereal products, meat, fish, kapenta, fresh vegetables was recorded.
She however noted that reductions were recorded in the costs of some food products such as maize grain, white roller meal, dried beans, sweet potatoes, shelled groundnuts and fresh fruits.
Ms. Chulu stated that the annual non-food inflation rate stood at 13.3 percent in May, this was an increase from 12.7 percent in April.
She said the annual inflation rates increased for clothing and footwear, rent, fuel and lighting, furniture and house hold goods.
Ms. Chulu said inflation rates increased for medical care, transport, communications, recreation and education.
She said a comparison of retail prices between April and May shows that the national average price of a 25kg bag of white breakfast meal increased by 2.2 percent, from k65, 543 to k 66,970.
She further said the national average price of a 20 litre tin of maize grain declined by 12.4 percent, from K26, 015 to K22,789 and a 25 kg bag of roller meal reduced by 4.6 percent from K54,732 to K52, 202.
She added that the national average price of 1kg of dried kapenta increased by 4.7 percent, from K47, 023 to K49,241, and the national average price of 1kg of tomatoes went up by 24.9 percent, from K3, 204 to K4, 000.
MS. Chulu has also revealed that the total national maize requirement for Zambia during the 2009/2010 agriculture season is 1,747,537 metric tones.
She said it is estimated that the total availability of maize during this season will be 1,950,808 metric tones ,this is up from 1,888,773 metric tones expected to be produced during the 2008 /2009 agriculture season and 62, 035 metric tones carry-over stocks available as at 1st May 2009.
[ZANIS]
Inflation, Poverty, The dollar rate, Corruption… Everything negative is going up with RBB is statehouse…
GOING BY THE RISE IN COMMODITITIES THIS 0.4% DOES NOT SOUND TRUE
Inflation?
Billionaires are rampant in Zambia these days
Propaganda.
its a global thing mwe bantu and I am beginning to get worried because its not getting any better. The media somehow contribute to this with its constant negative reports (you may ague)
Based upon on-line research, I think things don’t look as as previously predicted. As long as the maize produce, which is the staple food is not badly affected, there is still hope for our economy.
oops, #8 should read “as bad as previously predicted.”
Going by what is going on at the ministry of Health,you do not the Penza economics to know whats wrong with the Zambia economy.I came to uk knowing one day i will be heading back but my sleeps every night are long i cant believe Zambians can go this far destroying the country.Its like everyone is so happy Mwanawasa is gone and they can do it the Chungu way.You can easly see it fromm the relief in the face of the thieves like chiluba.Its a pity that even when someone is found guity he/she can still move the street of lusaka or Ndola free and life goes on.What acountry, how can people fear to steal public funds when no one if seen “pay for the wrong things”.?I’m so scared for Zambia.We seem to have no saviour until God comes.
things are bad pa zed tho they are not increasing our salaries? things have just become expensive
Prepare for hard times ahead.
they will increase our bills but not our pays!!!