Inflation rate at 21.8%

The annual rate of inflation for January 2016- has risen to 21 point eight percent.

This represents a zero point seven percentage increases compared to the December 2015 annual rate of inflation which stood at 21 point one percent.

Meanwhile the annual food inflation rate for January 2016 stands at 25 point nine percent as opposed to 24 point eight percent in December 2015.

On the other hand the non-food inflation for January 2016 has been recorded at 17 point four percent against 17 point one percent in December 2015.

Director of Census and Statistic John Kalumbi has revealed this at a press briefing in Lusaka.

Mr Kalumbi attributed the rise in the annual inflation rate to the increase in both food and non-food items.

And Mr Kalumbi has disclosed that Zambia recorded a trade deficit valued at Seven Hundred and 78 point Eight Million Kwacha in December 2015 .

He said the figure represents a 36 point two percentage decrease in the trade deficit of One Thousand Two Hundred and 20 point nine million Kwacha registered in November 2015.