Muscat: The inflation rate in the Sultanate, measured by movement in the average Consumer Price Index (CPI), fell by 0.15% in October 2019 compared to the same month in 2018, according to the latest data released by the National Centre for Statistics and information (NCSI) on consumer prices’ index.

However, according to the report, the inflation rate in October rose by 0.18% compared to September 2019.

The food and non-alcoholic beverages group witnessed a price rise by 1.38%, furnishings, household equipment, and routine household maintenance by 5.15%; health by 0.97%, restaurants and hotels by 0.69%; education by 2.18%; and recreation and culture by 0.04%.

However, the prices of housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels fell by 0.3%, transport by 2.48%, communication by 0.3%; and miscellaneous goods and services by 3.69% in October 2019 compared to the same month of the previous year.

Among foods and non-alcoholic beverages group, a marked fall of 0.72% was witnessed in meat. Meanwhile, the price of fish and seafood; milk, cheese and eggs; fruit; and vegetables rose by 0.74%, 0.40%, 0.47%, and 2.08, respectively.

However, non-alcoholic beverages registered a price rise of 13.48%, while those of clothing and footwear fell by 1.95% in October 2019 against the same period of 2018. — ONA