Muscat: The data indicated notable price increases across several categories. The personal goods and services group saw a significant rise of 4.2 percent, while food and non-alcoholic beverages went up by 2.8 percent. Other increases included tobacco (2.4 percent), culture and entertainment (0.4 percent), restaurants and hotels (0.3 percent), and clothing and footwear (0.2 percent).

Increased prices:

• Personal goods and services: +4.2%
• Food and non-alcoholic beverages: +2.8%
• Tobacco: +2.4%
• Culture and entertainment: +0.4%
• Restaurants and hotels: +0.3%
• Clothing and footwear: +0.2%

Decreased prices:

• Transportation: -3.0%
• Education: -0.4%
• Furniture, household supplies, and equipment: -0.2%
• Communications: -0.2%

In the food and non-alcoholic beverages category, specific items saw considerable price hikes. Vegetables led with a 12.1 percent increase, followed by fruits (4.2 percent), milk, cheese, and eggs (3.7 percent), oils and fats (2.7 percent), meat (1.9 percent), sugar, jam, honey, and sweets (1.4 percent), and bread and cereals (1 percent). Conversely, fish prices decreased by 2.4 percent.

Regional inflation rates:

• North Al Sharqiyah: +1.4%
• Al Wusta: +1.3%
• Dhofar: +1.1%
• Musandam: +1.0%
• South Al Sharqiyah: +0.9%
• Buraimi and North Al Batinah: +0.7%
• Al Dhahirah: +0.6%
• Al Dakhiliyah: +0.2%