The price of potatoes is going up, but at a slower rate compared to last year this time.
The latest Consumer Price Index data released by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) shows the rate at which the price of potatoes rose slowed from 44.4% to 3.2%.
“The price of vegetables, including potatoes and other tubers, increased by 4.9% in November 2024, compared to 16.9% witnessed in November 2023,” the report says.
The rate at which tinned fish prices decreased slowed from 14.7% to 1.5%, while fresh, chilled and frozen fish saw a rise in price, although at a slower rate.
Pumpkins, squash, broccoli, cauliflower, and mealies also experienced a significant reduction in their price increase rates.
On a monthly basis, inflation went up, but at a slower rate.
“The annual inflation rate for November 2024 eased to 3%, down from 5.7% recorded in the same month last year,” the report says.
Meanwhile, the core inflation rate stood at 3.9%.
Core inflation is a measure of inflation that excludes certain volatile elements from the overall inflation calculation.
“These volatile elements typically include food and energy prices, which tend to experience significant prices,” the report states.
A regional breakdown of inflation rates showed that Zone 2 (the Khomas region) experienced the highest annual inflation rate at 4.1%.
Zone 1 (the Kavango East, Kavango West, Kunene, Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa, and Zambezi regions) and Zone 3 (the //Kharas, Erongo, Hardap, and Omaheke regions) recorded inflation at 2.3%.
Consumers in Zone 3 paid the highest price for a 5kg bag of maize meal at N$71.19, while those in Zone 1 paid the least at N$70.36.
Similarly, Zone 2 consumers paid the most for 100g rooibos tea bags at N$39.28, with Zone 1 consumers paying the lowest price at N$32.98.
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