Headline inflation as measured by the year-on-year change in the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI, 2013=100) increased marginally to 2.2 per cent in July 2019 from 2.1 per cent in June 2019 due to the monthly increases of prices of items in both Food and Non-food categories. Meanwhile, in July 2019, year-on-year Food and Non-food inflation recorded -2.5 per cent and 6.1 per cent respectively.
The change in the NCPI measured on an annual average basis decreased to 1.9 per cent in July 2019 from 2.0 per cent in June 2019.
When monthly change is considered, the NCPI increased by 0.2 per cent in July 2019 with the increases observed in the prices of the items in both Food and Non-food categories. Within the Food category, prices of green chillies, fresh fish and potatoes recorded increases. Moreover, within the Non-Food category, prices of the items in Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and other Fuels; and Recration and Culture sub-categories increased during the month.