Chamwe Kaira
Food prices continued to differ across Namibia’s three zones in April as the country’s annual inflation rate stood at 3.1%, down from 3.6% recorded in April 2025.
On a monthly basis, inflation increased to 1.1% from 0.2% in March, while core inflation stood at 2.8%.
According to the latest zonal average price data released by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA), consumers in different regions paid varying prices for basic food items such as flour, meat, fruit and cooking oil.
White bread flour prices ranged from N$48.94 for a 2.5 kg bag in zone three, covering the ||Karas, Erongo, Hardap and Omaheke regions, to N$51.99 in zone two, which covers the Khomas region.
White cake flour was most expensive in zone three at N$56.90 and cheapest in zone two at N$51.55.
A 5kg bag of maize meal cost N$69.75 in zone one, N$67.72 in Zone 2 and N$68.77 in Zone 3.
Meat prices also differed across the regions. Beef stew costs N$111.49 per kilogram in zone one, which includes Kavango East, Kavango West, Kunene, Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa and Zambezi regions. The same product cost N$102.99 in zone two and N$103.49 in zone three.
Beef mince prices were highest in Zone 3 at N$118.61 per kilogram.
Biltong recorded one of the biggest price differences. Consumers in zone one paid N$518.50 per kilogram, compared to N$500.83 in zone two and N$407.15 in zone three.
A 400g tin of pilchards in tomato sauce cost N$33.99 in zone one and N$37.96 in zone three.
Cooking oil prices also varied. Pure sunflower oil (750ml) cost N$32.36 in zone one, N$33.60 in zone two and N$34.30 in zone three.
Rooibos tea bag prices remained stable at about N$36 across all zones.
Fruit and vegetable prices showed mixed trends. Apples were most expensive in zone two at N$48.66 per kilogram, while bananas cost the most in zone one at N$39.60 per kilogram.
Loose onions cost N$26.66 per kilogram in zone one compared to N$20.84 in Zone 3. Fresh tomatoes ranged from N$38.49 in zone three to N$42.66 in zone two.
Alcohol prices also differed between regions. A 750ml bottle of white wine cost N$63.88 in zone one and N$83.21 in zone three.
Whiskey prices ranged from N$251.06 in zone two to N$270.67 in zone three.
Fuel prices remained mostly stable nationwide. Petrol prices ranged between N$22.57 and N$22.76 per litre, while diesel prices ranged from N$24.12 to N$24.31 per litre.
Zone two recorded the highest annual inflation rate at 4.2%, followed by Zone 3 at 2.9%. Zone 1 recorded the lowest annual inflation rate at 2.1%.
The report also showed increases in several spending categories.
The hotels, cafes and restaurants category rose to 207.91 in April from 205.92 in March and 197.85 in April last year.
Accommodation services increased to 224.59 from 220.86 in March, while recreation and culture rose to 195.18 from 190.10.
Package holidays recorded one of the biggest increases, rising to 654.20 in April from 526.34 in March.
Transport costs continued to rise, with the transport index increasing to 187.58 in April from 186.64 in March and 184.22 in April 2025.
The operation of personal transport equipment rose to 182.68 from 180.75 in March.
Health costs also increased during the month. The health index reached 170.97 in April compared to 170.36 in March and 163.33 in April last year.
Medical products, appliances and equipment increased to 177.90 from 176.43 in March.
Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels rose to 154.67 in April from 154.44 in March and 148.08 in April 2025.
Rental payments for dwellings increased slightly to 149.54, while electricity, gas and other fuels remained high at 206.37.
The alcoholic beverages and tobacco category rose to 198.22 in April from 197.52 in March and 194.81 in April 2025. Tobacco prices increased to 185.3 from 184.1 in March.
Education costs remained unchanged at 209.95 in April, while communications stayed stable at 110.49.
Goods inflation continued to increase faster than services inflation. The goods index rose to 175.6 in April from 174.9 in March and 172.4 a year earlier. Services increased to 166.2 from 165.6 in March and 160.5 in April 2025.
The education, school uniforms, stationery and textbooks category stood at 203.5 in April, slightly lower than 203.7 recorded in March.
