In June the Retail Price Index increased to 110.53. The inflation rate stood at 1.37 per cent, according to National Statistics Office figures released yesterday.

In June 2007, the Retail Price Index went up by 0.08 per cent over the previous month.

This primarily reflected an increase of 0.87 per cent in the Transport and Communications Index due to higher prices of transport fuels. A 0.27 per cent increase was registered in the Clothing and Footwear Index, mainly on account of higher prices of garments. The Water, Electricity, Gas and Fuels Index increased by 0.13 per cent mainly as a result of the increase in price of other fuels.

The Household Equipment and House Maintenance Cost Index increased by 0.05 per cent mainly due to price increases of household textiles and household textile articles. Other slight increases were registered in the Recreation and Culture Index, the Other Goods and Services Index and the Personal Care and Health Index. A decrease of 0.64 per cent was registered in the Food Index mainly on account of price reductions in fruit. Other slight decreases were recorded in the Beverages and Tobacco Index and the Housing Index.

The twelve-month moving average rate of inflation stood at 1.37 per cent in June, compared to 1.67 in May.