Inflation in Catalonia rises for third month in a row to 3.6%

Inflation in Catalonia rose by three-tenths to 3.6% in May, according to figures published on Thursday by Spain's National Statistics Institute (INE).

This is the third consecutive month that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) - the inflation rate – has increased in Catalonia.

The increase was mainly due to higher electricity and fuel prices.

Core inflation, which excludes energy and unprocessed food, rose a tenth to 3.1% after nearly a year of steady declines. 

In May, food prices continued to stabilize with an annual change of 3.8%, the lowest since the end of 2021.

The figure contrasts with last year's number when food prices were above 10%.

The products that have increased the most compared to 2023 are olive oil, up 48.2%, lamb and mutton, up 9.2%, and fresh fruit, up 8.8%. 

Among the food products that decreased are milk, by 4.2%, legumes, by 2%, and cereals, by 1.3%.

Inflation at 3.6% in Spain

Spain's inflation rate also rose three-tenths to 3.6% in May, its highest level in thirteen months. 

Core inflation, which excludes energy and unprocessed food, rose a tenth to 3%.