Overall Monthly Inflation Rate at 0.2 percent
The overall monthly inflation rate for May 2026 was recorded at 0.2 percent from 0.7 percent recorded in the previous month. This outturn was mainly attributed to price movements in selected food items (see Figure 3).
Figure 3 : Overall Monthly Inflation, May 2025 – May 2026
Monthly Inflation Rates for Food and Non-Food Items
Monthly food inflation for May 2026 was recorded at 0.3 percent, same as that recorded in April 2026. This indicates that, on average, food prices increased by 0.3 percent between April 2026 and May 2026. This movement was mainly attributed to price movements in Meats (Fillet steak, Rump Steak, Brisket, Mixed Cut, T. Bone, Beef Sausage, Ox-liver, Plain Pork Sausages); Vegetables (Rape, Pumpkin Leaves, Sweet Potato Leaves (Kalembula)-with sterms, Lumanda, Chinese Cabbage, Cassava Leaves, Tomatoes, Pumpkin, Cucumber, Impwa, ); Fish (Frozen Fish, Buka Buka, Fresh Kapenta, Dried Bream-Medium Sized-Opened, Dried Kapenta Mpulungu, Dried Kapenta Chisense).
Monthly non-food inflation for May 2026 was recorded at 0.1 percent, compared with 1.3 percent recorded in April 2026. This indicates that on average prices of non-food items increased by 0.1 percent between May 2026 and April 2026. This outturn was mainly attributed to price movements in prices of non-food items such Phamarceuticles Products (Ampicillin, Paracetamol, Medix Cough Syrup, Kaolin/Anti Diarrhoea, Andrews Liver Salt, Magnasium Tricilicate ) Motor Cars (Toyota Hilux, Toyota Corolla Cross, Toyota Belta, Purchase of second hand vehicle); Passenger transport by air (Domestic (Lusaka-Ndola), Regional (Lusaka to Johannesburge) and international ( Lusaka/London via Dubai)).
Overall Monthly Inflation Rate for Food and Non-Food Items, May 2025 – May 2026 (%)
