Inflation in Tunisia slowed to 5.3% year-on-year in June, compared with 5.5% in May, mainly due to a moderation in the rise of food prices, according to data published on Sunday by the National Institute of Statistics (INS).
The price increase in the “Food and Beverages” group stood at 7.1% in June, down from 8.2% the previous month. However, prices for tobacco and for recreation and culture recorded a slight acceleration.
Over one year, food prices rose by 7.1%, driven mainly by increases in lamb meat (+18.3%), beef (+13.6%), poultry (+13.5%), fresh fish (+11.7%), and fresh fruit (+11%).
In contrast, edible oils (-5.5%) and eggs (-3.1%) declined.
Manufactured goods posted an increase of 4.7% year-on-year, mainly driven by clothing and footwear (+9.2%).
In June alone, prices in this category rose by 1.7% due to the end of the season and the renewal of collections.
As for services (+4.3% year-on-year), they are fully affected by the impact of the summer season. Accommodation (hotel) prices surged by 15.4% year-on-year and by 4.6% in a single month.
Core inflation
Core inflation (which excludes food and energy products considered too volatile) recorded a slight increase, reaching 4.9% in June compared with 4.8% the previous month.
By price regime, the free market remains the main driver of the rise in the cost of living, with an increase of 6.3% year-on-year (with unregulated food products rising by as much as 8%).
As for regulated prices, they increased by only 1.3% (with administered food products showing a near-stable rise of +0.2%).
In terms of net contribution to overall inflation of 5.3%, the “free non-food” group weighs the most, contributing 3 percentage points, followed by the “free food” group with 2 points.
By sector, manufactured goods and services lead the increase, contributing 1.8% and 1.4% respectively.
