(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-02-15 23:17

HARARE - The official rate of annual inflation in Zimbabwe tripled in the space of one month to 66,212 percent in December, by far the highest in the world, but less than half the rate calculated by independent analysts.

The state Herald newspaper published the figures from the central bank Friday, showing a dramatic escalation from November's already dizzying rate of 24,470 percent.

The newspaper said inflation for food and nonalcoholic drinks rose to 79,412 percent during the year, and nonfood inflation stood at 58,492 percent in December.

In early October, the state central statistical office gave official inflation at just below 8,000 percent. It then suspended its monthly updates on inflation because there was not enough in the shortage-stricken shops to calculate a regular basket of goods.

The National Incomes and Prices Commission, the government's price control body, this week allowed sharp increases in the prices of the corn meal staple, sugar, bread and other basics in a bid to restore viable operations by producers and return the goods to empty shelves.

But the new price of about US 15 cents (13 euro cents) for a kilogram (about 2.2 pounds) of corn meal at the dominant black market exchange was still half the price demanded on the black market and was unlikely to guarantee regular supplies to food stores.

Even the Herald predicted that "in most cases, the products will be available only immediately after the price increases" and would disappear again as production costs rise.

Independent analysts estimate the real annual rate of inflation is closer to 150,000 percent. They cite supermarket receipts showing the price of chicken rose more than 236,000 percent to 15 million Zimbabwe dollars, or about US$2.15 (euro1.45) a kilogram between January 2007 and January 2008.

The price of eggs rose by 153,000 percent in the same period. One of the lowest increases, of about 64,000 percent, was for sugar, bringing independent estimates for overall food inflation to about 164,000 percent.

School fees increased last month by 600 percent, and the price of scarce gasoline and rentals for housing and accommodation have soared.

Call charges for fixed lines and mobile phones also rose on Monday by up to 600 percent.