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Zambia’s annual inflation slowed to 6.8 percent in April from 7.1 percent in March, driven by softer food prices, the country’s statistics office said on Thursday.
Addressing a media briefing, Sheila Mudenda, Statistician General of the Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats), said food inflation fell to 7.3 percent in April from 7.8 percent the previous month due to declines or slower increases in the prices of cereals, oils and fats, vegetables and eggs.
“On average, prices of goods and services increased by 6.8 percent between April 2025 and April 2026,” Mudenda said, adding that mealie meal, maize grain, wheat flour, cooking oil and several vegetables had recorded moderated price movements.
Non-food inflation rose marginally to 6.0 percent from 5.9 percent in March, driven by higher costs of pharmaceuticals, domestic and regional airfares, and accommodation services.
Inflation declined in seven provinces, including Central, Copperbelt, Lusaka, Northern, North-Western and Western. Eastern and Southern provinces recorded no change.
Month-on-month inflation increased to 0.7 percent in April from 0.6 percent in March.
Mudenda said the rise was mainly due to higher prices of selected non-food items.
Monthly food inflation eased sharply to 0.3 percent from 0.7 percent, while monthly non-food inflation jumped to 1.3 percent from 0.4 percent on account of higher fuel prices, increased air transport costs, motor vehicle purchases and accommodation.
ZamStats also reported an 8.2 percent fall in cumulative trade between January and March, with total trade declining to K148.5 billion from K161.8 billion in the same period last year.
Exports dropped to K79.8 billion in the first quarter, with road transport carrying 96.5 percent of the value. Total export volumes stood at 2.3 million tonnes, of which 80.8 percent moved by road.
Imports for the period amounted to K68.6 billion, with road transport accounting for the largest share at 51.2 percent.
She said import volumes reached 3.3 million tonnes, dominated by other transport modes, which accounted for 56.8 percent.
Zambia recorded a trade surplus of K0.8 billion in March, sharply lower than the K5.7 billion surplus posted in February.
Mudenda said export earnings fell 8.1 percent to K25.0 billion due to declines in intermediate, consumer and capital goods, while imports increased 12.3 percent to K24.2 billion on the back of higher bills for intermediate and consumer goods, capital goods and raw materials.
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