General inflation in the region in June was estimated at 3.9 percent, and food inflation was 4.9 percent.
Sri Lanka recorded the highest monthly food price increase in the Asia-Pacific region in June, with a rise of 4.3 percent compared to May.
Afghanistan reported higher prices for wheat flour (high and low quality) and rice (low quality) compared to a month and a year ago.
In Indonesia, the Ministry of Trade increased the import quota for beef from 10 000 tonnes to 27 000 tonnes to increase supply and reduce prices during Ramadan.
India was seeking potential suppliers of pulses from overseas as domestic prices continued to rise.
REGIONAL OVERVIEW
FOOD AND REGIONAL INFLATION
In the region, general inflation inched up 0.5 percent and food price inflation rose 0.6 percent in June compared to May. Year on year, general inflation was up 3.9 percent and food price inflation increased by 4.9 percent.
In Afghanistan, general inflation rose 0.5 percent in June 2016 compared to May and food inflation was up 0.6 percent, but general inflation was 6 percent higher than a year ago, and food inflation increased 6.8 percent. In Bangladesh, general and food inflation edged up 0.3 percent and 0.4 percent, respectively. However, year on year, general inflation increased 5.5 percent and food inflation was 4.2 percent higher.
In China, general inflation was stable, falling by just 0.1 percent and food inflation was down 1.4 percent in June. Lower prices were recorded for tomatoes, potatoes, eggs, pork, ducks and kidney beans. Year on year, however, general inflation rose 1.9 percent and food prices were up by 4.6 percent.
In Indonesia, general inflation was 0.2 percent higher and food inflation was up 0.5 percent compared to May. Higher prices for chicken, fresh fish, eggs, sugar, potatoes, carrots, rice and spinach pushed food prices higher. Year on year, however, general inflation increased 3.5 percent, and food inflation by 7.8 percent.
In Malaysia, general and food inflation were up by 0.2 and 0.5 percent, respectively, in June 2016, and 1.6 and 4.2 percent higher than a year ago. In the Philippines’ general inflation inched up by 0.4 percent and food prices by 0.6 percent.
Samoa’s general inflation in June increased 1.4 percent and food price inflation by 3.5 percent. Year on year, consumer prices were up 2.2 percent and food prices 8.7 percent.
In Pakistan, general inflation was up by 0.6 percent compared to May, and increased by 3.2 percent compared to June last year.
Food price inflation increased by 1.2 percent compared to May. Month on month, higher prices were recorded for tomatoes (61.1 percent), potatoes (45.5 percent), eggs (8.5 percent), whole gram (5.7 percent), fresh fruits (2.5 percent), pulse gram (2.2 percent) and rice (1.4 percent).
India’s general inflation was up by 1.2 percent month on month, and food prices increased by 2.4 percent, essentially due to higher prices on rice (3.4 percent), wheat (6.8 percent), pulses (26.6 percent) vegetables (16.9 percent), potatoes (64.5 percent) and sugar (26.1 percent). Nepal’s general and food inflation were up by 0.8 and 2 percent, respectively. Year on year, general inflation increased by 11.1 percent and food prices were up by 11.9 percent, mainly on increases in the prices of vegetables (29.4 percent) and pulses (21.5 percent).
Sri Lanka’s general inflation rose by 2.1 percent and food prices were 4.3 percent higher than in May for the highest recorded monthly food price increase in the region. Prices rose for vegetables, green chilies, rice, sugar, potatoes, red onions and fish. In Thailand, general inflation remained stable and food prices decreased by just 0.1 percent. In Viet Nam, general and food inflation were up 0.5 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively. Year-on-year general inflation increased by 2.4 percent and food prices by 2.8 percent.