Zambia’s annual inflation eases to 6.5% in June on lower food, fuel prices

ZAMBIA’s annual inflation rate slowed to 6.5% in June 2026, down from 6.6% in May, the Zambia Statistics Agency said.

Speaking at the monthly inflation briefing in Lusaka, ZAMSTAT Statistician General Sheila Mudenda said the decline was driven by price movements in both food and non-food items.

Food inflation dropped to 6.7% in June from 6.9% in May, Mudenda said, largely due to price changes in cereals, cooking oil and eggs.

“Annual inflation for June 2026 was recorded at 6.5 percent, down from 6.6 percent in May 2026. This means that, on average, prices of goods and services increased by 6.5 percent between June 2025 and June 2026,” she said.

Non-food inflation also eased, falling to 6.0% from 6.1% the previous month. Mudenda attributed the drop to lower prices for motor vehicle purchases, petrol, diesel, passenger air transport and accommodation services.