Inflation keeps creeping up in September

Inflation has inched up even further in September and stood at 5.54 percent, exceeding the central bank target of keeping it at 5.5 percent on an average.

However, on a year-on-year basis from October, 2018 to September, 2019, the average inflation rate has decreased to 5.50 percent from the 5.68 percent for the same period of the previous timeframe.

Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) data yet to be released showed the inflationary pressure has been building since August.

In July, inflation stood at 5.43 percent which inched up to 5.49 percent in August.

Due to the sharp rises in prices of onion, garlic, chilies, fish, chicken, vegetable and other products and services, the rate of inflation has increased, said the BBS.

Food inflation stood at 5.30 percent in  September from 5.27 percent in August.

From September this year, the country experienced a big jump in the prices of onion on retail and wholesale markets.

There has also been a sharp rise in non-food price index.

According to the BBS, non-food inflation stood at 5.92 percent in September from 5.82 percent in August.

Due to the rise of health and education expenditure along with cooking wood and others, non-food inflation has increased, said BBS.

Though rural inflation rate is comparatively lower than the urban, in the last month it had increased to 5.41 percent from 5.38 percent in August which is also lower than the national target.

In rural areas, food inflation in September remained almost static, but there has been a sharp increase in non-food inflation that stood at 5.42 percent from 5.25 percent in August.