Food Prices Fall as Inflation Slows to 7.1 Percent
Zambia’s annual inflation rate slowed to 7.1 percent in March 2026, down from 7.5 percent recorded in February, according to Sheila Mudenda.
Speaking during the release of the March Statistics Bulletin, the Statistician General said the figure reflects the average increase in prices of goods and services between March 2025 and March 2026.
Food inflation also declined to 7.8 percent from 8.2 percent in the previous month. This was largely driven by changes in prices of key food items, including mealie meal, maize grain, rice, fruits such as apples and lemons, as well as vegetables and cooking oil.
Non food inflation dropped to 5.9 percent from 6.5 percent in February. The decrease was mainly influenced by lower price movements in construction materials such as cement, paint, tiles and glass, as well as fuel products including petrol, diesel and paraffin, and the cost of motor vehicles.
Meanwhile, Zambia’s economic growth slowed significantly in the fourth quarter of 2025. The economy grew by 1.6 percent, compared to 8.3 percent recorded during the same period in 2024. The growth was mainly supported by sectors such as agriculture, construction, manufacturing, and transport and storage.
Preliminary figures further show that the economy recorded an overall growth rate of 3.8 percent in 2025, based on constant 2010 prices.
In terms of trade, cumulative total trade declined by 5.6 percent, falling from K105.2 billion in February 2025 to K99.3 billion in February 2026.
Mrs Mudenda said the statistics provide important insights for planning and decision making, as they reflect the current performance and direction of the economy.
