Inflation rises to 2.3% in July due to increased fuel prices

Inflation edged up to 2.3% in July in both Catalonia and Spain, 0.4 percentage points higher than the month prior. 

According to data made public by Spain's statistics institute (INE) on Friday morning, this is largely due to the increased cost of fuel and a smaller decrease in the price of clothing and footwear over the summer sales period. 

Although fuel was 3.3% more expensive in July than in June, it was 15.3% cheaper than a year earlier.

INE also points to growing food and nonalcoholic beverage costs, especially fruits and oils, as well as pricier tourist packages, which have gone up 26.8% in a year. 

Electricity and gas prices, on the other hand, are down 32.3% compared to a year ago. 

Core inflation, which does not include unprocessed foods or energy products, is 6.2%, 0.3 percentage points higher than in June.