Building costs up as US dollar prices bite harder
Building material costs in Zimbabwe displayed varying trends during the third quarter of 2025, with price movements differing between local currency and dollar-denominated transactions, according to data released by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency.
The agency reported that prices measured in ZiG rose just 0.1 percent from June through September, a sharp deceleration from the 1 percent gain recorded during the previous quarter. Glass products, steel windows, cement and roof-mounted water heaters drove most of the quarterly increase, while numerous other items such as electrical components and vinyl flooring remained flat. However, annual inflation in ZiG terms stayed elevated at 61.8 percent compared with the prior year. Construction industry consultant Dickson Mungate said the modest quarterly advance suggests pricing pressure may have peaked, though developers continue taking cautious approaches to project budgets.
Dollar-denominated prices climbed 1.2 percent during the quarter, up from 0.2 percent growth in the June period, with hollow doors, paint varieties, locks and roofing materials leading the advance. The annual dollar-based index gained 6.4 percent. A weighted measure combining both currencies rose 1.1 percent quarterly and 13.8 percent annually, reflecting continued adjustments as the economy balances dual-currency operations.
