The rate of inflation recorded a significant increase to 6.3% in November against 5.8% the previous month, a level never reached since July 2013 (6.4%). Inflation was 4.6% in January 2017 and 5% in April.
According to the National Institute of Statistics, this rise in the inflation rate is mainly due to the acceleration of the rate of increase in food and beverage group prices of 8.7% this month against 7.2% in the previous month, mainly because of the increase in meat prices by 5.4% and vegetables by 15.9%.
This increase is also due to higher prices for edible oils by 23.7%, fish by 7% and milk, cheese and eggs by 3.6%.
Prices for beverages rose 6.4%, driven by higher prices for mineral water, soft drinks and fruit juices by 7.7% and coffee and tea prices by 3.5%.
Prices for alcoholic beverages and tobacco grew 8.3% year-over-year as a result of higher prices for alcoholic beverages by 2.5% and tobacco by 8.8%.
Prices for clothing and footwear increased 6.6% year-over-year due to 5.4% higher shoe prices, 7.2% apparel, 2.4% % and accessories by 6.6%.
The housing, water, gas, electricity and other fuels group grew 4.4% year-over-year, with rents rising 4.5%, housing maintenance 10.1% and electricity and gas tariffs up 2.9%.
Prices for furniture, household goods and home maintenance also rose 5.7%, as furniture, carpets and other upholstery prices grew 4.6% and home appliance prices went up 4.8%.
For the health group prices, they recorded a 4% increase, following the 2.5% rise in drug prices and the prices of private ambulatory services by 6.9%.
Price increases are also observed in the transport group tariffs by 5.5%, after vehicle price grew 8.4%, vehicle utilization expenses went up 6.1% and transportation services rose 0.7%.
Similarly, communication group prices increased by 2.2% year-on-year, following the 33.5% rise in postal services, 4.8% increase in telephony equipment, 1.3% rise in and prices for telephone and internet services.
The INS wishes to point out that the core inflation rate “excluding food and beverages and excluding energy” is at a level of 5.5%.
Free (non-regulated) product prices increased 7.2% year-on-year, compared to 3.6% for regulated prices. Free food products grew 10.4% compared with 1% for regulated products
