Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
The Annual Rate of Inflation for August, 2015 has marginally increased to 7.3% from 7.1% recorded in July, 2015.
Central Statistical Office (CSO) Director John Kalumbi says the increase is attributed to the rising transport inflation.
Speaking during the August monthly bulletin release this morning, Mr. Kalumbi says the annual food inflation rate for August 2015 remained at 7.8, while the annual non food inflation rate increased to 6.7% from 6.2% recorded in July 2015.
Mr Kalumbi says the increase was influenced by increases in prices of liquid fuels, road transport fares and car license fees.
He explains that the annual rate of inflation increased for alcoholic beverages and tobacco, health and transport, while it decreased for clothing and foot wear, housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels.
Mr. Kalumbi says of the total 7.3% annual rate of inflation, food and non alcoholic beverages accounted for 4.0%, while non food products accounted for 3.3%.
He adds that the annual rate of inflation increased for Copperbelt, Luapula and Southern provinces, while it decreased for Central, Lusaka, North western and Western provinces and remained the same for Eastern, Northern and Muchinga provinces.
Mr. Kalumbi points out that Lusaka had the highest contribution of 2.3%, while Western province had the lowest contribution of 0.2%.
He further states that the country also recorded a trade deficit valued at K958.3 million in July from a trade deficit of K1.293.1 million recorded in June 2015.