The annual inflation rate for the month of July 2019 has increased from 8.6 percent in June 2019 to 8.8 percent.
Central Statistical office Acting Director for Census and Statatistics Goodson Sinyenga says the increase is mainly due to a rise in prices food and non food items.
Mr. Sinyenga says prices of items such as breakfast mealie meal, samp, white rice and other wheat products increased by o.1 percentage points from 9.2 percent to 9.3 percent.
He says prices for non food items mainly clothes increased by 0.3 percentage points from 8 percent to 8.3 percent.
Meanwhile, Zambia has recorded a trade deficit of five hundred and sixteen billion kwacha for the month of June 2019 from a trade surplus of five hundred and one billion kwacha in May 2019.
Central Statistical office Acting Director for Census and Statistics Goodson Sinyenga says this is due a 3.6 percent increase in imports between May and June 2019.
Mr. Sinyenga says exports decreased by 8.3 percent from eight thousand seven hundred and sixteen billion kwacha in May to seven thousand nine hindred and ninety-four billion kwacha in June 2019.