Inflation slightly down for March, but data collected before lockdown

DURBAN  – Consumer price inflation dipped slightly in March, measuring 4.1%, down from 4.6% in February, while the consumer price index increased by 0,3% month-on-month in March 2020, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) said on Wednesday. 

However, the data was collected before lockdown, said the organisation. 

The main contributors to the 4,1% annual inflation rate were food and non-alcoholic beverages, housing and utilities, transport, and miscellaneous goods and services.

Food and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 4,2% year-on-year, and contributed 0,7 of a percentage point to the total CPI annual rate of 4,1%.

Housing and utilities increased by 4,8% year-on-year, and contributed 1,2 percentage points.