Increase in NCPI-based inflation last month

This was driven by monthly increases of prices of items in both food and non-food categories.

Meanwhile, food inflation increased to 11.7 per cent in October 2021 from 10.0 per cent in September 2021, while non-food inflation also increased to 5.4 per cent in October 2021 from 3.0 per cent in September 2021.

The NCPI, measured on an annual average basis, increased to 5.7 per cent in October 2021 from 5.5 per cent in September 2021.

Monthly change of NCPI recorded at 2.12 per cent in October 2021 due to increases observed in prices of items in both food and non-food categories which were 0.89 per cent and 1.23 per cent, respectively.

Accordingly, within the food category, prices of milk powder and rice increased.

Further, prices of items in the non-food category recorded increases mainly due to price increases observed in housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels (LP gas and materials for the maintenance), restaurant and hotels, miscellaneous goods and services and health sub-categories during the month.

Further, year-on-year core inflation increased to 7.2 per cent in October 2021 from 4.8 per cent in September 2021.

The annual average core inflation which remained unchanged for six consecutive months increased to 4.6 per cent in October 2021 from 4.4 per cent in September 2021.