Consumer price inflation stood at 3.75 pc in mid-March: NRB

KATHMANDU: Year-on-year (y-o-y) consumer price inflation in Nepal was recorded at 3.75% in mid-March 2025, down from 4.82% in the corresponding period the previous year, according to the latest macroeconomic and financial situation report released by Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) today.

Food and beverage inflation stood at 3.34%, while non-food and services inflation was 3.97% during the review month. A year earlier, the price indices of these groups had risen by 5.95% and 4.07%, respectively.

Under the food and beverage category, the y-o-y price index for ghee and oil increased by 13.74%, pulses and legumes by 7.80%, fruit by 6.82%, and non-alcoholic drinks by 5.15%. In contrast, the y-o-y price index for spices declined by 5.17%, vegetables by 1.24%, and meat and fish by 0.74%.

Within the non-food and services category, the y-o-y price index for miscellaneous goods and services rose by 10.14%, clothes and footwear by 7.01%, alcoholic drinks by 6.07%, furnishing and household equipment by 5.59%, and transportation by 5.07%.

In rural areas, the y-o-y price index increased by 4.18% during the review month, compared to 3.60% in urban areas.

By province, y-o-y consumer price inflation was highest in Koshi Province at 5.68%, followed by Sudurpashchim Province at 4.41%, Karnali Province at 3.80%, Lumbini Province at 3.77%, Madhesh Province at 3.52%, Bagmati Province at 2.98%, and Gandaki Province at 2.77%.

Regionally, y-o-y consumer price inflation reached 4.77% in the Mountain region, 3.77% in the Terai, 3.72% in the Hill, and 3.25% in the Kathmandu Valley.

Wholesale Price Inflation (WPI)

Year-on-year wholesale price inflation was 4.43% in mid-March 2025, up from 3.69% a year earlier.

The y-o-y wholesale price of consumer goods, intermediate goods, and capital goods rose by 8.02%, 2.57%, and 3.17%, respectively. Meanwhile, the y-o-y wholesale price of construction materials increased by 1.63% during the review period.