Food Inflation in Tanzania: Price Stability and Third Place in East Africa
In March 2024, Tanzania's food prices increased by 1.40% compared to the previous year, reflecting a stable trend as it had an average food inflation rate of 8.05% from 2010 to 2024, peaking at 27.84% in January 2012 and dipping to a low of 0.10% in March 2019. With future projections indicating a slight decrease to 1.20% by the end of this quarter and around 1.40% in 2025 and 1.30% in 2026, Tanzania remains one of the African countries with the lowest food inflation rates. Comparatively, it stands third in East Africa for low food costs, led by Rwanda and Uganda, amidst varying rates across the continent, including Rwanda (-6.6%), Somalia (-3.97%), and Chad (2%).
Tanzania Food Inflation Overview
Tanzania is noted as one of the ten African countries with the lowest food costs and is Third in East Africa, preceded by Rwanda and Uganda. Food inflation rates of selected African countries as of April 2024:
Country | Current Rate (%) | Previous Rate (%) | Reference |
Rwanda | -6.6 | -4.1 | Apr/24 |
Somalia | -3.97 | -2.04 | Apr/24 |
Seychelles | -1.92 | -1.79 | Apr/24 |
Morocco | -1.4 | 0.9 | Apr/24 |
Uganda | -0.8 | -0.5 | Apr/24 |
Cape Verde | 0.1 | -0.6 | Mar/24 |
Mali | 0.8 | -3.3 | Apr/24 |
Tanzania | 1.4 | 1.8 | Mar/24 |
Mauritania | 1.8 | 2.3 | Apr/24 |
Chad | 2 | 1.6 | Mar/24 |
Observations:
Implications for Tanzania:
Hence, Tanzania's food inflation trends reflect a stable and controlled rise in food prices compared to many other African countries. This stability places it favorably within the region, particularly in East Africa, and suggests positive outcomes for its economic planning and food security measures.