In July, prices of food increased by 0.6 percent from a year earlier, following a 0.8 percent rise in June, namely, fresh food (-1.1 percent from 0.5 percent), fish and seafood (4.9 percent from 5.5 percent) and fresh fruits (0.9 percent from 1.3 percent). In addition, prices fell further for fresh vegetables (-6.6 percent from -4.0 percent).
Meantime, prices increased more than in a month earlier for fuel, light and water charges (4.3 percent from 3.5 percent in June), mainly due to higher electricity cost (6.1 percent from 4.9 percent). Also, cost rebounded for: transport & communication (0.1 percent from -0.1 percent) and miscellaneous goods and services (0.1 percent from -0.1 percent).
Cost rose less for medical care (0.1 percent from 0.3 percent) and was flat for clothing and footwear (from 0.2 percent) and culture and recreation (from -0.1 percent). Inflation was steady for education (0.4 percent).
On the other hand, cost fell for: housing (-0.2 percent from -0.2 percent) and furniture and household utensils (-0.4 percent from -0.4 percent),
Core consumer prices, which exclude fresh food, edged up to 0.5 percent on the year from 0.4 percent in June and in line with market estimates. It was the highest level since March of 2015.