Prices in Catalonia grow for the first time in three months

Barcelona (CNA).- The inflation rate in Catalonia this past November was a flat 0% after three months in a row of negative figures. According to the Spanish Institute of Statistics (INE) prices increased by 0.3% last month in comparison to October. The main causes of this increase were the stabilisation of fuel prices, which dropped in 2014 and the increase in the cost of electricity in comparison to the same period last year. The price of clothing and housing also grew in November. Barcelona is the only region where the inflation rate is slightly positive; it was 0.1% at the end of November, whereas the previous month it was -0.1%. The annual inflation rate is still negative in the whole of Spain, at -0.3%, although prices did rise by 0.4% last month.

Prices in Catalonia have dropped since August, when the fall was -0.1%. The decrease was more accentuated in September (-0.5%) and continued to be negative in October (-0.3%). However, in November the trend has changed and the inflation rate has left behind negative figures thanks to a 0.4% increase in prices during that month. 

Fuel prices have stabilised in comparison to November last year and grew by 1.1% last month in comparison to October. The average electricity bill has also risen compared to the same period last year. These are the main causes of November’s 0.4% rise in prices. 

Leisure activities, such as organised trips, have also contributed to this increase in prices. The price of tourist packages, for example, is starting to increase, which proves the recovery of the economic situation in Catalonia and in the whole of Spain.

The price of housing last month was 1.7% higher than in October, although this is still cheaper in comparison to last year (-1.8%). However, the sector which registered the highest growth was winter clothing and footwear. 

On the other hand, the price of fresh food, especially vegetables and legumes, dropped slightly in comparison to the previous month, falling by 0.4%.

Barcelona is the only region where the inflation rate is slightly positive; it was 0.1% at the end of November, whereas the previous month it was -0.1%. In the whole of Spain, prices rose by 0.4% last month in comparison to October but the annual rate is still negative, at -0.3%.