Marginal decline in March inflation rate

The national consumer price index (measure of average price change of goods and services purchased by households) slowed down to 3.43 per cent in March from 3.45 per cent of the previous month. The National Institute of Statistics Rwanda (NISR) has reported general inflation rate at an annual average of 3.9 per cent in March compared to 3.8 per cent the previous month, according to the principal research statistician in charge of prices at NISR, Oscar Sibomana. According to the report, all urban general indexes were established at 123.7, an increase of 0.68 per cent over the previous month. The increase in the urban consumer price index of 0.68 is primarily attributed to increase in food and non-alcoholic beverages of 1.90 per cent, NISR officials said. “It is noted that the increase in prices of food and non alcoholic beverages is primary attributable to [5.06 rise in the prices of] vegetables,” officials indicated. Underlying inflation rate (that excludes fresh food and energy) remained stable compared to the previous month but went up by 2.64 percent on annual change. The annual average underlying inflation rate is established at 3.4 percent in March 2014 down from the previous month 3.6 percent. Local goods increased by 3.84 percent on annual change with a monthly change of +0.90, while prices of imported products increased by 1.71 percent on annual change.

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Marginal decline in March inflation rate