The inflation rate stabilised at 5% in May 2021, following a slight rise in April (from 4.8% in March to 5.0% in April), the National Institute of Statistics (INS) said on Saturday.
This stability is explained on the one hand by the accelerated increase in food prices (6.0% against 4.9%) and on the other hand, by the deceleration in the price increase of other products and services, notably those of health (7.7% against 8.8%), transport (1.5% against 2.1%) and restaurants and hotels (5.8% against 9.2%).
In May 2021, food prices were up by 6% year-on-year. This is due to the rise in prices of edible oils by 13.8%, vegetables by 10.2%, and the “milk, cheese and eggs” group by 8.1%.
Besides, fruit prices remain slightly down by 0.3% compared to their levels in May 2020.
Over a year, prices of manufactured goods went up by 5.0% due to the increase in prices of pharmaceutical products by 9.9%, building materials by 9.8% and household products by 5.9%.
In services, prices rose by 3.9% year-on-year due to the 7.5% increase in the prices of health services and the 4.6% hike in rents.
The core inflation rate (excluding food and energy) fell to 5% in May 2021 from 5.5% the previous month.
The prices of free (unregulated) products grew by 5.4% (against 4.9% in April). Prices of regulated products rose by 4.0% (compared with 5.3% in April).
Free food products saw a 5.9% jump compared to 6.4% for regulated food products.
//Consumer prices up 0.5% in May 2021 //
According to the INS, consumer prices were up 0.5% in May 2021 against 1.1% the previous month. This is mainly explained by the increase in prices of clothes by 1.1%, food prices by 0.6%, transport products and services by 0.9% and other goods and services by 0.8%.
Over one month, food prices rose by 0.6%. This is due to the hike in prices of poultry by 4.1%, fresh fruit by 3.6% and olive oil by 1.2%.
Meanwhile, a drop in the prices of eggs (1.2%) and fresh vegetables (0.6%) was recorded after the sharp rise recorded throughout the month of Ramadan.
In May, prices of clothing products went up by 1.1% in line with the Eid celebrations. Thus, clothing prices increased by 1.4%, shoes by 0.7% and accessories by 0.8%.
Transport prices showed a 0.9% rise following the 1.6% increase in prices for vehicle use (spare parts and fuel) and 0.4% for vehicle purchases.

Source: TAP News Agency