Food inflation slows but...
Mbongeni Mguni | Wednesday March 25, 2026 14:56
Figures released by Statistics Botswana recently indicate that the rate of increase of prices of vegetables and meat decelerated in February, while other key items remained robust or rising. The 12 months to February, the average prices of oils and fats were up 8.1 percent, compared to seven percent in January, while uncategorised food items were up 11 percent from 10.6 percent.
The slowdown in food inflation comes as households brace for a spiral in prices, with expectations that electricity tariffs could rise substantially from April 1, while government is also considering an increase in commuter passenger fares.
However, it is in fuel that consumers’ fears are most focused, as the Middle East crisis has sparked estimates that petrol and diesel retail pump prices could rise by as much as three Pula at the end of the month. South Africa is already estimating an eight Rand increase this month, as a result of runaway global crude prices.
Locally, disposable incomes continue under pressure from the broader economic contraction, leaving consumers increasingly stretched to meet the basic costs of living.
Prior to the outbreak of the Middle East war, the Bank of Botswana had said it expects inflation to warm up this year, averaging 5.3 percent from 2.67 percent in 2025.