April inflation remains static at 7.2%

The annual rate of inflation for April 2015 has remained unchanged at 7.2 percent as recorded in March 2015.

Speaking during the April 2014 monthly bulletin release, Central Statistical Office (CSO) Assistant Director Daniel Daka says of the total 7.2 percent annual rate of inflation recorded, food and non alcoholic beverages accounted for 3.7% while non food products accounted for 3.5%.

Mr Daka adds that the annual rate of inflation in April 2015 increased for Copperbelt, Luapula, Northern, Muchinga and Southern Provinces while it decreased for Eastern, North western and western provinces.

He says North Western province recorded the highest annual rate of inflation at 9.2 percent while Copperbelt had the lowest annual rate of inflation at 5.9%, with Lusaka recording the highest provincial contribution of 2.4 percent to the overall 7.2 annual inflation rate while Western and North western provinces had the lowest contribution of 0.3 percent each.

Mr Daka further states that the country recorded the highest trade deficit in 2015 valued at K310.3 million in March 2015 from a deficit of K107.3 million recorded in February 2015.