The Zambia Inflation for March 2010 was 10.2 percent - In Double Digits Again!

The Zambia inflation rate for the month of March 2010 went up again to stand at 10.2 percent.

The Central Statistical Office (CSO) director Efreda Chuulu who released the figures on 25th March 2010 in Lusaka, said the increment in the inflation rate was due the rise in prices of food products and public transport.

Chuulu said between February 2010 and March 2010, the Zambia inflation rate increased for food, beverages and tobacco; and transport and communication. She however said the annual inflation rate declined for clothing and footwear; fuel and lighting; furniture and household goods; medical care; recreation and education; and other goods and services.

Of the total 10.2 percent in March 2010, food products accounted for 4.6 percentage points while non-food products in the consumer price index accounted for a total of 5.6 percentage points.

Prices for Some Selected Products

A comparison of prices between February 2010 and March 2010 showed that the national average price of 25 kg bag of white breakfast mealie meal increased by 0.4 percent, from K 62,642 to K 62,868, while the average price of a 20 liter tin of maize grain increased by 1.2 percent from K 27,454 to K 27,792.

The national average price of a 1 kg of tomatoes increased by 25.3 percent, from K3,427 to K 4,293, while the average price of 1 kg of dried kapenta (Siavonga) increased by 12.2 percent from K 48,125 to K 54, 013.

Food Inflation

In the month of March 2010, annual food inflation rate was recorded at 9.3 percent. This was an increase from 8.2 recorded in February 2010.

Non-food Inflation

The non-food inflation rate was recoded at 11.0 percent. This was a reduction from 11.3 percent recorded in February 2010.

February 2010 Zambian Trade surplus

For nine consecutive months from June 2009 to February 2010 the Zambian government had been recording trade surpluses. In the month of February 2010 a trade surplus valued at K 391 billion was recorded as against K 316.3 billion recorded in January 2010.

Zambia’s Major Exports in February 2010

The following were the major exports which accounted for 90.6 percent of Zambia’s export earnings:

Ores, slag and ash accounting for 83.3 percent of total export earnings.
Other base metals, Cements and Articles thereof accounting for 3.1 percent of total export earnings.
Salt, Sulphur earth and stone plastering material, lime, accounting for 2.2 percent of total export earnings.
Sugar and confectionery accounting for 1.9 percent of total export earnings.