ZAMBIA RECORDS TRADE SURPLUS IN JANUARY

ZAMBIA recorded a trade surplus of K1.9 billion in January 2024, with exports mainly comprising domestically produced goods.

This trade surplus was up from K0.7 billion recorded in December 2023, disclosed Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats) Chief Statistician, Chola Daka, at a press briefing in Lusaka on Thursday.

“Exports mainly comprising domestically produced goods, increased by 3.1 percent to K21.7 billion in January 2024 from K21.1 billion in December 2023.

“This was mainly on account of 27.0, 23.3, and 111.4 percent increases in export earnings from raw materials, consumer goods and capital goods, respectively,” Ms Daka said.

On imports, Ms Daka said a decrease of 2.9 percent was recorded to K19.8 billion in January 2024.

This was from K20.4 billion recorded in December 2023.

Ms Daka mainly attributed the decrease to a 10.2 and 2.7 percent decrease in import bills of consumer goods and intermediate goods, respectively.

Meanwhile, Ms Daka said total value of exports via all modes of transport for January 2024 was K21.7 billion.

She explained that road transport accounted for the highest value at K9.5 billion representing 43.6 percent share.

Rail transport was second with a value of K0.9 billion and Air transport was third with K0.5 billion. Other modes of transport accounted for K10.9 billion.

“The total volume of exports via all modes for the month of January 2024 was 853.0 thousand Mt, of which road transport accounted for the highest volume with 468.9 thousand Mt, representing 55.0 percent.

“Rail transport accounted for 4.8 thousand Mt, representing 0.6 percent. Air transport accounted for 0.3 thousand Mt (0.04 percent), while other modes accounted for 378.9 thousand Mt,” Ms Daka Musepa said.