The inflation rate stabilised at 6.2% in September 2021, after a 0.2 point drop last month, the National Institute of Statistics (lNS) said on Tuesday.
This is mainly explained by the higher rate of increase in the education prices (6.1% against 5.9%) and recreation and cultural products and services (5.0% against 4.1%) and by the lower rate of increase in food prices (7.2% against 7.4%).
In September 2021, food prices were up by 7.2% year-on-year. This is due to the increase in poultry prices by 24%, olive oil by 21.9%, fresh vegetables by 18.1%, eggs by 11.9% and fresh fish by 9.4%.
On the other hand, prices of beef and sheep meat were down by 4.3% and 2.2%, respectively over one year.
Prices of manufactured goods rose by 7.2% year-on-year due to the 8.6% rise in prices of pharmaceutical products, 12.6% for building materials, 7.8% for clothing and 6.0% for household products.
Services prices went up by 4.2% year-on-year due to price increases in restaurants, cafés and hotels services by 6.9%, health services by 6% and rents by 4.5%.
Core inflation up 6% in September 2021
Core inflation (excluding food and energy) was up to 6% after 5.9% the previous month.
The prices of free (not regulated) products increased by 6.0%. Regulated prices rose by 6.7%. Free food products saw an increase of 7.8% compared to 4.4% for food products with regulated prices.
In September 2021: consumer prices grew by 0.6% over one month
In September 2021, consumer prices rose by 0.6% after remaining stable the previous month. This was mainly due to a 1.3% increase in food prices and a 4.0% rise in the prices of education services and supplies.
In monthly variation, food prices were up by 1.3% due to the rise in prices of poultry by 8.1%, eggs by 5.4%, olive oil by 2.2%, fresh fruit by 1.7%, fresh fish by 1.6% and fresh vegetables by 1.3%.
Meanwhile, prices for sheep meat and beef fell by 1.6% and 0.7%, respectively.
The INS indicated that at the start of the 2021-2022 school and university year, education group products recorded an increase of 4.%.
The prices of private pre-school and primary education services rose by 2.8%, those of private secondary education by 5.0% and those of school supplies by 3.7%. Similarly, the price of approved school books rose by 9.9%.
Source: Tap News Agency