INFLATION GOES UP TO 13.2 PERCENT

 The annual rate of inflation for the month of January 2024 has increased to 13.2 percent from 13.1 percent recorded in December, 2023.

The 13.2 percent annual inflation in January 2024 reflects a general upswing in prices of goods and services from January 2023 to January 2024, primarily driven by fluctuations in prices of specific non-food items.

Speaking during the monthly briefing in Lusaka today, Zambia Statistics Agency-ZAMSTATS- Statistician General Mulenga Musepa said annual food inflation for January 2024 was recorded at 13.7 percent compared to 14.2 percent in the previous month.

Mr Musepa says the country also recorded a trade surplus of K0.7 billion in December 2023 compared to a deficit of K0.6 billion in November 2023.

He says the cumulative total trade for 2023 was k415.5 billion while that of 2022 for the same period was K349.7 billion representing an 18.8 percent increase.

PHOENIX NEWS