By Derrick Silimina
The annual inflation has held steady at 6.5 percent in July 2026, matching the June rate and cementing a period of single-digit stability that provides welcome relief to both households and local businesses.

According to the Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats), food inflation eased to 6.4 percent in July 2026 from 6.7 percent in June, and the dip underscores a period of sustained macroeconomic stabilization driven by months of cooling prices.

“This means that on average, prices of goods and services increased by 6.5 percent between July 2025 and July 2026,” ZamStats Statistician General Sheila Mudenda said in a statement.

Mudenda noted that on average prices of food items increased by 6.4 percent between July 2025 and July 2026 which was mainly attributed to price movements in prices of food items such as Cereals (Breakfast Mealie meal, Roller mealie meal, Maize grain, Rice local, Wheat Plain Household Flour)); Fresh milk, Sugar, Cooking oil and Eggs.

The Statistician General further outlined that the annual non-food inflation for July 2026 was recorded at 6.7 percent compared to 6.0 percent in June 2026.

“This outturn was mainly attributed to price movements in prices of non-food items such as Furniture and furnishings (Coffee table, Wardrobe, Dining Suite) ; Paraffin, Charcoal and Purchase of Vehicles.”