Consumer price inflation at a four-month low of 4.87% in April

Consumer price inflation in the country based on the consumer price index eased to a four-month low of 4.87 per cent in April, helped by slower increases in the food prices, official data released today showed.

Consumer price inflation in the country (with revised base of 2012=100) stood at 5.25 per cent in March, as per revised estimates of the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

Consumer food price inflation dropped to 5.11 per cent last month from 6.14 per cent in March.

Consumer price inflation for rural areas stood at 5.37 per cent in April 2015 against 8.46 per cent in April 2014 and 5.67 per cent in March 2015 while consumer price inflation for urban areas stood at 4.36 per cent in April 2015 against 8.51 per cent in April 2014 and 4.75 per cent in March 2015.

Consumer food price inflation for rural areas stood 5.03 per cent in April 2015 against 9.64 per cent in April 2014 and 5.78 per cent in March 2015 while consumer food price inflation for urban areas stood at 5.17 in April 2015 against 8.66 per cent in April 2014 and 6.76 per cent in March 2015.

Prices of fruits and vegetables increased at a slower pace in April with inflation standing at 5.08 per cent and 6.63 per cent, respectively.

Prices of cereals and products also increased at a pace slower than in the previous month at 2.15 per cent, while inflation in milk and its products was 8.21 per cent.

The rate of price rise in most of the protein rich items remained high in April with inflation in 'meat and fish' at 5.5 per cent and 'pulses and products' at 12.52 per cent.

Egg prices continued a downward trajectory with inflation at (-)1.46 per cent in April.

However, the rate of price fall was slower than previous month's (-)3.47 per cent.

Among others, inflation in oils and fats category fell to 1.77 per cent in April, sugar and confectionery at (-) 5.99 per cent, spices (8.70 per cent) and in non-alcoholic beverages it was 4.68 per cent.

Inflation in prepared meals, snacks and sweets category rose to 7.68 per cent.

Inflation in clothing and footwear category came down to 6.15 per cent, housing to 4.65 per cent and food and beverages to 5.36 per cent, respectively.