Tanzania’s inflation hits five-year record high

Tanzania’s inflation zoomed past forecasts to hit 4.8 per cent in September from 4.6 per cent recorded in August, 2022 latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) indicated.

The September rate is the highest since November 2017 as Covid-19 pandemic and the recent Russia-Ukraine conflict have disrupted the global supply chains.

According to NBS, the overall index went up from 103.71 recorded in September, 2021 to 108.73 in September, 2022.

Some food items that contributed to an increase of the index include: – rice by 0.3 per cent, maize grains by 4.5 per cent, wheat flour by 0.2 per cent, maize flour by 3.2 per cent, freshwater fish by 1.2 per cent, dried sardines by 2.0 per cent, dried coconuts by 3.0 per cent, groundnuts (husked) by 1.3 per cent, dried beans by 4.2 per cent and spotted beans by 4.9 per cent. ***Photo / Courtesy***

“Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages Inflation Rate for September, 2022 has increased to 8.3 per cent from 7.8 per cent recorded in August, 2022. On the other hand, Annual Inflation Rate for all items without Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages for September, 2022 has increased to 3.5 per cent from 3.4 per cent recorded in August, 2022,” NBS said in a statement.

The National Consumer Price Index between August and September, 2022 has increased from 108.63 recorded in August, 2022 to 108.73 recorded in September, 2022.

“The increase of the overall index is attributed to price increase for some food items and non-food items,” the statement said.

Some food items that contributed to an increase of the index include: – rice by 0.3 per cent, maize grains by 4.5 per cent, wheat flour by 0.2 per cent, maize flour by 3.2 per cent, freshwater fish by 1.2 per cent, dried sardines by 2.0 per cent, dried coconuts by 3.0 per cent, groundnuts (husked) by 1.3 per cent, dried beans by 4.2 per cent and spotted beans by 4.9 per cent.

On the other hand, some non-food items that contributed to an increase of the index include: – clothing materials by 0.6 per cent, garments for men by 0.5 per cent, footwear for men by 0.2 per cent, products and materials for the maintenance of the dwelling by 1.4 percent and liquefied hydrocarbons by 0.4 per cent.