The National Bureau of Statistics of Tanzania (NBS) indicates that the Annual Headline Inflation Rate decreased to 6.1% in May 2017 from 6.4% recorded in April 2017.
The NBS explains that the speed of price increase for commodities in the year ending speed of price change for commodities in the year ending May 2017 has decreased as compared to the speed of price change recorded in April 2017.
The overall index went up to 109.26 in May 2017 from 103.00 recorded in May 2016.
Food and Non-Food Inflation Rates
Annual Inflation Rate for food consumed at home and away from home has decreased to 11.8% in May 2017 from 12.0% recorded in April 2017.
In addition, the 12-month index change for non-food products has decreased to 3.0% in May 2017 from 3.4% recorded in April 2017.
Inflation Rate Excluding Food and Energy
The Annual Inflation Rate which excludes food and energy for the month of May 2017 has slightly decreased to 2.2% from 2.3% recorded in April 2017.
Monthly Headline Inflation Rate
The Monthly Headline Inflation Rate for the month of May 2017 has increased by 0.2% compared to an increase of 0.5% recorded in April 2017.
The overall index has increased to 109.26 in May 2017 from 109.04 recorded in April 2017.
Some food items that contributed to such an increase include; maize flour by 4.2%, green beans husked by 2.9%, soya beans by 2.2%, sorghum flour by 1.5%, round potatoes by 2.0%, cassava dry by 2.3% and cocoyam by 5.7%. Non-food item that contributed to such increase is charcoal by 2.5%.
Purchasing Power
The purchasing power of 100 Tanzanian Shillings has reached TZS 91 and 53 cents in May 2017 compared to TZS 91 and 71 cents in April 2017.