Building material prices stall in ZiG, spike in USD
Building material costs showed varying trends during the third quarter of 2025 across Zimbabwe’s three pricing categories, according to the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency. The quarterly inflation rate measured in ZiG currency slowed to 0.1 percent by September, down from 1 percent recorded three months earlier.
Glass products, steel window frames, cement, and roof-mounted water heaters pushed prices higher during the period. Meanwhile, numerous products held steady at previous levels, such as single-gang electrical boxes, vinyl floor tiles, glazed plumbing pipes and various paint types. Annual inflation measured in ZiG remained substantial at 61.8 percent when comparing September 2024 against September 2025.
Construction industry adviser Dickson Mungate said the contrasting figures suggest price pressures may have peaked while businesses maintain cautious budgeting approaches. The modest quarterly increase indicates suppliers now respond to actual market demand rather than exchange rate fluctuations, even though the elevated annual figure reflects ongoing adjustment from the currency changeover. Pricing denominated in United States dollars showed upward movement, potentially reflecting either outdated assumptions about input expenses or closer tracking of import costs.
