Consumer price inflation stood at 4.16 pc in mid-Feb: NRB

KATHMANDU: Year-on-year (y-o-y) consumer price inflation in Nepal stood at 4.16% in mid-February 2025, compared to 5.01% a year ago, according to the latest macroeconomic and financial situation report released by Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) on Monday.

Food and beverage inflation stood at 4.95%, while non-food and service inflation stood at 3.74% in the review month. During the same period in the previous year, the price indices of these groups had increased by 6.59% and 3.98%, respectively.

Under the food and beverage category, the y-o-y price index of the ghee and oil subcategory increased by 12.80%, pulses and legumes by 9.06%, vegetables by 7.56%, and cereal grains and their products by 6.36%, while the y-o-y price index of the spices subcategory decreased by 2.98%.

Under the non-food and services category, the y-o-y price index of the miscellaneous goods and services subcategory increased by 10.91%, clothes and footwear by 5.36%, alcoholic drinks by 5.08%, transportation by 5.01%, tobacco products by 4.10%, and furnishing and household equipment by 4.07%.

During the review month, the y-o-y price index in rural areas increased by 4.73%, while in urban areas, it rose by 3.96%.

Based on provinces, in the review month, the y-o-y consumer price inflation in Koshi Province was 6.15%, in Madhesh Province 3.91%, in Bagmati Province 3.35%, in Gandaki Province 3.40%, in Lumbini Province 4.16%, in Karnali Province 4.05%, and in Sudurpashchim Province 4.71%.

In the review month, the y-o-y consumer price inflation in the Kathmandu Valley, Terai, Hill, and Mountain regions surged to 3.53%, 4.25%, 4.11%, and 5.21%, respectively.

Wholesale Price Inflation (WPI)

The y-o-y wholesale price inflation stood at 3.47% in mid-February 2025, compared to 2.82% a year ago.

The y-o-y wholesale price of consumption goods, intermediate goods, and capital goods increased by 4.27%, 3.11%, and 2.90%, respectively. The y-o-y wholesale price of construction materials decreased by 0.72% in the review month.