Muscat – The data showed that the personal goods and miscellaneous services group recorded the highest price increase at 7.0 percent, followed by health services at 3.2 percent, and transportation at 3.1 percent.

Other notable increases were seen in the restaurants and hotels category, which rose by 1.5 percent, while clothing and footwear prices increased by 0.6 percent. The culture and entertainment group rose by 0.3 percent, and education saw a marginal rise of 0.1 percent.

In contrast, prices of the food and non-alcoholic beverages group decreased by 0.3 percent, and the furniture, household equipment, and maintenance group decreased by 0.1 percent. Meanwhile, prices of the housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels groups, the communications group, and the tobacco group remained stable with no significant change.

Within the food and beverage category, prices of miscellaneous food products rose by 3.5 percent, milk, cheese, and eggs by 3.1 percent, and sugar, jam, honey, and sweets also saw increases. Oils and fats rose by 1.1 percent, followed by fruits at 0.7 percent, and meat at 0.1 percent. However, vegetable prices dropped sharply by 6.1 percent, fish and seafood by 3.0 percent, bread and cereals by 0.7 percent, and non-alcoholic beverages by 0.1 percent.

Regionally, Al Dakhiliyah Governorate recorded the highest inflation rate at 1.8 percent, followed by Musandam at 1.5 percent, and Al Dhahirah and South Al Sharqiyah at 1.3 percent each. Muscat, Al Buraimi, and Al Wusta each registered an inflation rate of 0.9 percent.

Dhofar saw a 0.6 percent rise, North Al Batinah increased by 0.5 percent, and North Al Sharqiyah by 0.4 percent, while South Al Batinah was the only governorate to record a decline, with inflation falling by 0.1 percent.