The Sultanate's Consumer Price Index-based inflation increased 0.66% in July 2017 compared with the same period month in 2016, primarily driven by a 4.02% rise in furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance group, according to the latest data released by the Center.
In the Food and non-alcoholic set, Fish and seafood saw 3.38% inflation; the prices of fruits went up by 1.43% and that of vegetables by 1.10%. The prices of bread and cereals increased by 0.43%, meat 0.35%, sugar, jam, honey and confectionaries by 0.56% and non- alcoholic beverages by 0.12%. The prices of milk and cheese decreased 0.98%, and oil and fats by 0.25%, the NCSI data showed. Prices of other food products decreased 0.40%. There was a 2.84% rise in education group, 1.43% in housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels and 1.29% rise in miscellaneous goods and services in July 2017 compared to the same month last year, the NCSI data showed.
Communication and transport registered a decline in prices this July compared to the same period last year. While there was a 2.93% fall in prices of communication, in transport there was a 0.10% fall, the statistics showed. The health set saw a 0.39% inflation, and recreation and culture set saw a 0.33% rise in prices. The tobacco set logged a price rise of 23.99% while there was a 0.13% decrease in clothing and footwear prices. The restaurants and hotels set too registered a price rise of 0.03% in July this year compared to the same period in 2016, according to the NCSI data.
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