Consumer price inflation moderated to 4.61 pc in mid-April: NRB

KATHMANDU: The macroeconomic and financial situation report released by Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) on Sunday shows that consumer price inflation fell to 4.61% in mid-April 2024, a significant decrease from the 7.76% recorded the previous year.

The inflation rate for the food and beverage category was reported at 5.21%, while the non-food and service category saw a lower inflation rate of 4.14% during the review period.

Under the Food and Beverage Category, the year-on-year price index of the spices sub-category increased by 22.64%, vegetables by 16.99%, pulses & legumes by 10.94%, cereal grains & their products by 7.59% and non-alcoholic drinks by 6.06% in the review month. The year-on-year price index of the ghee & oil subcategory decreased by 10.10% in the review month.

Under the Non-Food and Services Category, the year-on-year price index of the miscellaneous goods & services sub-category increased by 12.81%, recreation & culture by 12.61% and education by 7.31% in the review month. The year-on-year price index of the transportation sub-category decreased by 0.33% in the review month.

The year-on-year consumer price inflation in the Kathmandu Valley, Tarai, Hill and Mountain regions stood at 4.06%, 4.58%, 5.33% and 4.32% respectively in the review month. Such inflation in these regions was 8.57%, 7.68%, 7.01% and 7.47% respectively a year ago.

Similarly, the year-on-year wholesale price inflation stood at 4.94% in mid-April 2024 compared to 5.59% a year ago.

The year-on-year wholesale price index of consumption goods, intermediate goods and capital goods increased by 9.64%, 2.88% and 1.56% respectively. The year-on-year wholesale price index of construction material decreased by 7.20% in the review month.

Likewise, the year-on-year salary and wage rate index increased by 5.34% in mid-April 2024 compared to 7.52% a year ago. The year-on-year Salary index and Wage rate index increased by 1.05% and 6.63% respectively in the review month.