Mozambique is facing an escalation in the cost of living, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Institute (INE). In October, the country recorded a significant rise in the general price level of goods and services, reaching 4.75%. This increase comes after a period of slight slowdown, in which the inflation rate fell from 4.93% in August to 4.63% in September, in contrast to the peak of 10.82% seen in March this year.
The detailed analysis shows that the rise in annual inflation is driven, in large part, by the prices of foodstuffs and alcoholic beverages. Among the products that contributed most to this increase, fresh fish stands out, with a rise of 1.7%, lemons, with a striking increase of 61.9%, and fresh hen's eggs, which became 11.1% more expensive. Other products such as tomatoes, rice, scad and beer for consumption away from home also recorded increases, though more moderate.
These variations are reflected in a year-on-year comparison, that is, between the prices of a basket of goods and services in October this year and the prices of the same items in the same period of the previous year.
At regional level, the city of Tete stands out with the largest rise in the general price level, reaching 8.40%. It is followed by Quelimane, with 6.34%, Inhambane province, with 6.13%, and the cities of Maputo, Xai-Xai, Nampula, Chimoio and Beira, with varying increases.
These data, collected by the INE in October in the country's main cities and provinces, reflect a worrying reality for Mozambicans, who face a progressive rise in the cost of living, particularly affecting basic foodstuffs. This scenario poses additional challenges for households and for the country's economy, which continues to seek paths to stability and sustainable growth.
