• The outturn reflects the easing of inflation for both food and non-food items.
• Cumulative total trade for the period January to June 2021 has increased to K180.5 billion
• Zambia recorded a trade surplus of K5.3 billion in June 2021

Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats) has revealed that annual inflation rate for July 2021 has remained stable at 24.6 percent.
Speaking during a Monthly dissemination Virtual Meeting, ZamStats Interim Statistician General Mulenga Musepa said the outturn reflects the easing of inflation for both food and non-food Items.

“Annual inflation for July, 2021 was unchanged at 24.6 percent same as that recorded in June2021. On average, prices of goods and services increased by 24.6 percent between July 2020 and July 2021,” he said.

Mr. Musepa noted the non-movement of food inflation at 32.2 percent is attributed to the relative price stability of food items such as dried Kapenta, Cooking Oil and Vegetables.

He however added that the nonfood inflation was recorded at 17 percent from 17.1 percent in June 2021 due to price decrease in clothing and Foot wear and miscellaneous goods and services.

Mr. Musepa highlighted that recent developments in foreign exchange rate market on inflation rate are expected in the Month of August.

He explained that data for consumer price index is collected between the first and tenth of each month from forty outlets across the country.

Further, ZamStats Interim Statistician General disclosed that the cumulative total trade for the period January to June 2021 has increased to K180.5 billion by 85.8 percent compared to K97.1 billion for the same period last year.

Mulenga Musepa said the total value of exports via all modes of transport for the period January to June 2021 is K114.1 billion.

“Road transport accounted for K71.0 billion representing 62.2 percent, Rail transport was second at K11.7 billion (10.2 percent) and Air transport was third accounting for K1.9 billion (1.7 percent). Other modes of transport accounted for K29.5 billion (25.9 percent),” said Mr. Musepa.

He further noted the total value of Imports via all modes of transport for the period January to June 2021 is K66.4 billion.

Mr. Musepa also disclosed that Zambia recorded a trade surplus of K5.3 billion in June 2021 compared to a surplus of K6.9 billion in May 2021 indicating a 23.5 percent decrease with 4.4 percent decline in exports and 5.7 percent increase in Imports.

“Exports mainly comprising domestically produced goods, declined by 4.4 percent to K19.1 billion in June 2021 from K20.0 billion in May 2021,” he said.

According to ZamStats, Imports increased by 5.7 percent to K13.8 billion in June 2021 from K13.1 billion in May 2021.