MaltaMedia.com

The National Statistics Office confirmed that in February, the Retail Price Index went up to 104.74 from 104.11 in January, a rise of 0.61 per cent.

This primarily reflected an increase of 2.03 per cent in the Clothing and Footwear Index, mainly due to seasonally higher prices of garments. Higher prices of fruit and vegetables caused the Food Index to go up by 1.31 per cent.

The Water, Electricity, Gas and Fuels Index registered a rise of 0.78 per cent on account of higher gas prices. Costlier furniture items underlay an increase of 0.50 per cent in the Household Equipment and House Maintenance Cost Index.

Furthermore the Recreation and Culture Index increased by 0.39 per cent mainly due to higher fees for sporting services. Higher prices of non-alcoholic beverages brought about an increase of 0.35 per cent in the Beverages and Tobacco Index. A rise of 0.30 per cent was registered in the Transport and Communication Index due to higher prices of fuels and motor vehicles.

The Personal Health and Care Index went up by 0.12 per cent, mainly as a result of higher fees for dental services. An upward movement in the price of travel articles caused the Other Goods and Services Index to edge up by 0.06 per cent.

In February, the twelve-month moving average rate of inflation stood at 2.67 per cent, whereas the annual rate stood at 2.56 per cent.