ZAMBIA Statistics Agency (ZSA) data shows that the annual inflation rate for September 2021 decreased to 22.1 percent from 24.4 percent recorded in August 2021.

Meanwhile, the monthly inflation rate for September was recorded at -0.5 percent, a decrease of 0.9 percentage points from 0.4 percent the previous month.

Announcing Zambia’s annual rate of inflation for the month of September, ZSA Interim Statistician General Mulenga Musepa said the decrease in the annual rate of inflation was mainly attributed to price movements in both food and non-food items.

“The annual inflation rate for September, 2021 decreased to 22.1 percent from 24.4 percent recorded in August 2021. This means that on average, prices of goods and services increased by 22.1 percent between September 2020 and September 2021. The decrease in the annual rate of inflation was mainly attributed to price movements in both food and non-food items,” revealed the bulletin.

Musepa said the annual food inflation for September was recorded at 29.6 percent compared to 31.6 percent recorded in August 2021.

“The annual food inflation for September, 2021 was recorded at 29.6 percent compared to 31.6 percent recorded in August 2021, a decrease of 2.0 percentage points. This was mainly attributed to decreases in prices of food items such as Fish (Dried bream medium, Fresh kapenta); Vegetables (Rape, Chinese cabbage, Onion, Impwa, Cabbage, Green beans); Margarine, Eggs, Cooking oil and Sugar,” Musepa said.

Musepa further said the annual non-food inflation for September was down to 13.6 percent from 16.3 percent in August.

“Annual non-food inflation for September 2021 was down to 13.6 percent from 16.3 percent in August 2021. The decrease in inflation rate was mainly attributed to price decreases in Purchases of Motor vehicles (Toyota Hilux, Toyota corolla, Nissan Almera 1.5 L Acenta, Nissan Hardbody); and Charcoal,” he said.

Meanwhile, Musepa said the monthly inflation rate for September was recorded at -0.5 percent, a decrease of 0.9 percentage points from 0.4 percent the previous month.

“The monthly inflation rate for September, 2021 was recorded at -0.5 percent, a decrease of 0.9 percentage points from 0.4 percent the previous month. The decrease in the monthly inflation rate was attributed to general price movements in Food items,” Musepa said.

Musepa further said the monthly food inflation rate for September was recorded at -0.8 percent, a decrease of 1.7 percentage points from 0.9 percent recorded in August 2021.

“The monthly food inflation rate for September 2021 was recorded at -0.8 percent, a decrease of 1.7 percentage points from 0.9 percent recorded in August 2021. This development was mainly attributed to the decrease in the inflation of food items such as Cereals (Breakfast Mealie Meal, Roller Mealie Meal, Rice local, Cassava meal), Vegetables (Rape, Chinese cabbage, Cabbage, Green Beans, Impwa, Onion, Carrots); eggs and cooking oil,” said Musepa.

“The monthly non-food inflation rate for September, 2021 was recorded at 0.0 percent up from -0.4 percent recorded in August, 2021. This means on average prices of non-food items remained the same between August, 2021 and September, 2021.”