October 17: The price index of spices increased by a staggering 45.46 percent in mid-September this year compared to a year ago while the year-on-year price index of ghee and oil sub-category decreased 13.08 percent.

According to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank, the consumer price inflation has dropped to 8.19 percent in mid-September 2023 compared to 8.64 percent a year ago. However, inflation in mid-September compared to a month ago has increased by 0.67 percentage points from 7.52 percent in mid-August 2023.

The Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report published by the central bank on Tuesday show that food and beverage inflation stood at 9.74 percent whereas non-food and service inflation stood at 6.99 percent in the review month.

Under the food and beverage category, the price index of sugar and sugar products increased by 17.86 percent, vegetables 14.51 percent, cereal grains and their products 13.38 percent, milk products and eggs 12.60 percent and restaurant and hotel 10.97 percent on a year-on-year basis.

Under the non-food and services category, the y-o-y price index of recreation and culture sub-category increased 15.55 percent, miscellaneous goods and services 12.21 percent, education 9.10 percent, housing and utilities 8.11 percent and furnishing and household equipment 6.59 percent. In the review month, the y-o-y price index of transportation sub-category decreased 0.18 percent, added the report.

According to the NRB, the y-o-y consumer price inflation in the Kathmandu Valley, Terai, Hill and Mountain region in the review month stood at 9.83 percent, 7.03 percent, 8.09 percent and 11.32 percent respectively. Inflation in these regions were 7.62 percent, 9.33 percent, 8.82 percent and 6.68 percent respectively a year ago.