Why Tanzania’s inflation remained stagnant in November

Tanzania’s Annual Headline Inflation Rate for the month of November, 2022 stagnated at 4.9 per cent as recorded in October, 2022, the national statistics body announced.

A statement issued by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said the stagnation of headline inflation explains that, the speed of price change for commodities for the year ended November, 2022 had remained the same as it was recorded for the year ended October, 2022.

NBS said the overall index went up from 104.08 recorded in November, 2021 to 109.16 in November, 2022.

NBS data however shows that Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages Inflation Rate for November, 2022 however increased to 9.5 per cent from 9.1 per cent recorded in October, 2022.

The Annual Inflation Rate for all items without Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages for November, 2022 decreased to 3.1 per cent from 3.3 per cent recorded in October, 2022.

The National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) for November, 2022 has increased to 109.16 from 108.73 that was recorded in October, 2022.

“The increase of NCPI between October, 2022 and November, 2022 is mainly attributed to the increase of indices for some food and non-food items between the periods,” the statement said.

 Some of the food items that contributed to an increase in index include: wheat by 2.4 per cent, rice by 3.8 per cent, maize grains by 5.0 per cent, maize flour by 2.9 per cent, fresh meat by 0.2 per cent, fresh fish by 1.8 per cent, fruits by 2.0 per cent, vegetables by 1.8 per cent, Irish potatoes by 3.9 per cent, sweet potatoes by4.2 per cent, fresh cassava by 3.4 per cent, cocoyams by 3.1 per cent and dried beans by3.5 per cent.

Similarly soya increased by 5.8 per cent, dried lentils by 1.5 per cent, dried peas by 2.5 per cent, dried cowpeas by 2.0 per cent, dried cassava by 2.9 per cent and soft drinks by 1.0 per cent.

On the other hand, some of non-food items that contributed to an increase in index include: garments for men by 0.8 per cent, footwear for women by 0.5 per cent and food provided by full-service restaurants by 0.6 per cent.