Zimbabwe inflation

Zimbabwean inflation slowed to 3.6 percent in October from 4.2 percent in September reports Bloomberg.

The news wire quoted the country’s statistics agency saying that the costs of medicines, rent, utilities and alcoholic beverages have fallen over the last 12 months, helping to reduce the inflation rate.

Month-on-month inflation increased to 0.2 percent from 0.1 percent because of a stronger rand in neighboring South Africa, the main source of Zimbabwean imports, Nyoni said.

Sugar production boost

Tongaat Hulett Limited plans to raise its sugar production in Zimbabwe by 35 percent to 350 000 tonnes next year.

The Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed company said its Mozambican sugar output could also be increased by as much as 52 percent to 205 000 tonnes.

Zimbabwe's sugar output declined 13 percent to 259 000 tonnes between April 2009 and March this year largely due to the macro-economic instability that prevailed until end of 2008.

Tongaat Hulett owns about 52 percent interests in the Hippo Valley Estates through Triangle Sugar Corporation.