The inflation rate stabilized for the fourth consecutive month in February at 4.9% according to the National Institute of Statistics (INS).
This stability is the result of the combined effect of several developments, namely the acceleration of prices in the health group (7.5% compared to 6.6% in January), the slight deceleration observed in the rate of price increases in the food group (4.8% compared to 4.9% in January) and the stable rate of price increases for the other consumer groups.
Indeed, prices in the food group went up by 4.8% in February due to the rise in prices of vegetables by 12.1%, edible oils by 10.2%, the group “milk, cheese and eggs” by 5.7%.
On the other hand, a 2.3% decrease in fruit prices was observed compared to February 2020.
Over one year, prices of manufactured goods grew 4.8% due to a 7.4% rise in the price of building materials and a 6.5% increase in the price of household cleaning products.
For services, prices increased by 5%, due to the increase in prices of restaurant and cafe services by 10.2%, health services by 7.7% and rents by 4.6%.
Core and regulated product Inflation
The core inflation rate (excluding food and energy) was 5.6% compared to 5.7% in January 2021. The prices of free (unregulated) products increased by 5% against 4.6% for regulated prices.
In addition, free food products increased by 4.9% compared to 4.3% for food products with regulated prices.
