• Exports increased by 18.4 percent to K18.9 billion.
• Imports increased by 10.4 percent to K11.8 billion.
• Total value of exports via all modes of Transport was K202.2 billion.

Zambia Statistics Agency (ZAMSTATS) says Zambia has recorded a trade surplus of K7.2 billion in November 2021 compared to a surplus of K5.3 billion in October 2021 representing a 34.4 percent increase.

Speaking during dissemination of the Monthly Bulletin, ZAMSTATS Interim Statistician General Mulenga Musepa said Exports mainly comprising domestically produced goods, increased by 18.4 percent to K18.9 billion in the same month from K16.0 billion in October 2021.

“This was mainly on account of a 19.4, 17.4, 7.6 and 5.0 percent increase in export earnings from Intermediate goods, Consumer goods, Raw materials and Capital goods, respectively,” he said.

Mr. Musepa noted imports increased by 10.4 percent to K11.8 billion in November 2021 from K10.6 billion in October 2021.

He said this was mainly as a result of a 8.4, 40.1, 10.7 and 5.3 percent increase in import bills of Capital goods, Raw materials, Intermediate goods and Consumer goods, respectively.

According to Mr Musepa the cumulative total trade for the period January to November 2021 was K331.0 billion while that of 2020 for the same period was K215.6 billion, representing a 53.6 percent increase.

The Interim Statistician general stated that the total value of exports via all modes of
Transport for the period January to November 2021 was K202.2 billion.

“Road transport accounted for K113.5 billion representing 56.1 percent, Rail transport was second at K17.7 billion (8.8 percent) and Air transport was third accounting for K3.9 billion (1.9 percent). Other modes of transport accounted for K67.1 billion (33.2 percent),” he explained.

Mr. Musepa added that In terms of volume, the total volume of exports for the period January to November 2021 was 7.2 million Metric tonnes (mt), of which Road transport accounted for 5.0 million mt, representing 69.3 percent.

“Rail transport accounted for 114.6 thousand mt, representing 1.6 percent, Air transport accounted for 4.6 thousand mt (0.1 percent), while other modes accounted for 2.1 million mt (29.0 percent).”