Tanzania inflation surges to 9.5%

2008-08-19 10:05:58
By DAR ES SALAAM

Tanzania`s annual inflation rate rose to 9.5 percent in July from 9.3 percent in June, the National Bureau of Statistics said yesterday.

``The increase ... was mainly attributed to increase of food, petrol, diesel, kerosene and charcoal prices over the period,`` the NBS said in a statement on its website.

Other items that contributed to the higher rate included rent, beds, chairs, tables, domestic services, taxi fares, school uniforms and hotel accommodation, the statement said.

``However,prices of maize grain, maize flour, vegetables, clothing and footwear had slightly gone down,`` the bureau said.

Food contributes a weight of 55.9 percent in the east African economy`s basket of goods used to measure inflation.

Tanzania`s national consumer price index covers market prices for 207 items collected in 20 towns in mainland Tanzania.


[SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN]