Zimbabwe saw inflation hit zero percent last month thanks to money supply controls and various economic steps taken by officials. The national stats office reported this flat rate in March, which marks a drop from February when they measured a slight 0.3 percent rise.
The American dollar portion of inflation went down to just 0.1 percent, falling from the previous month's 0.2 percent rate. Looking at yearly figures, prices in USD terms climbed 15 percent compared to March last year. The local currency actually saw prices shrink by 0.1 percent, a big change from the 0.5 percent increase seen before.
Zimbabwe measures how much cash people need to survive through two key numbers. The Food Poverty Line is ZWG864.20 per person, which buys just enough calories each day. The Total Consumption Poverty Line is ZWG1,260.52, which adds essential non-food expenses to the basic food costs.
Trade numbers showed weakness during February. The country exported goods worth $512.6 million, which fell 21.4 percent from January values. Imports also decreased but less dramatically, totaling $730.3 million - just 2.5 percent lower than January. This created a trade gap of $217.7 million, more than double the previous deficit.
Three nations bought most of what Zimbabwe sells abroad. The United Arab Emirates purchased 42.6 percent of all exports. South Africa came next at 23.3 percent, followed by China taking 19.3 percent. Together, these countries bought about 85 percent of everything Zimbabwe shipped overseas during February.
The American dollar portion of inflation went down to just 0.1 percent, falling from the previous month's 0.2 percent rate. Looking at yearly figures, prices in USD terms climbed 15 percent compared to March last year. The local currency actually saw prices shrink by 0.1 percent, a big change from the 0.5 percent increase seen before.
Zimbabwe measures how much cash people need to survive through two key numbers. The Food Poverty Line is ZWG864.20 per person, which buys just enough calories each day. The Total Consumption Poverty Line is ZWG1,260.52, which adds essential non-food expenses to the basic food costs.
Trade numbers showed weakness during February. The country exported goods worth $512.6 million, which fell 21.4 percent from January values. Imports also decreased but less dramatically, totaling $730.3 million - just 2.5 percent lower than January. This created a trade gap of $217.7 million, more than double the previous deficit.
Three nations bought most of what Zimbabwe sells abroad. The United Arab Emirates purchased 42.6 percent of all exports. South Africa came next at 23.3 percent, followed by China taking 19.3 percent. Together, these countries bought about 85 percent of everything Zimbabwe shipped overseas during February.
